Once again, old technology csn still be useful and another example of this is using older GSM mobile phones as data terminals with Arduino and compatible boards. A simple example is with the Nokia 6310i and Ilias Giechaskiel shows us how to send text messages in his simple tutorial.
The trickiest part is connecting the bus contacts from the bottom of the phone to the rest of the circuitry, and a quick search around the Internet should provide some Nokia data cables you can chop up. Otherwise the rest is simple and after testing the data connection to the handset with a PC you're shown how to send messages directly from the Arduino.
An interesting experiment with a classic phone, that can still be found or even if you poke inside some phone recycling drop-off points such as those found at large blue stationery stores. Once you have your phone or for more reading, check out Ilias' tutorial. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If you're looking to learn about Arduino development platform and how it interacts with external devices, you can't go past "Arduino Workshop - A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects” by John Boxall.
Arduino Workshop takes the reader from having zero knowledge about the Arduino platform, electronics and programming and leaves them with the know-how and instructions on everything from blinking an LED, to robotics, wireless data, cellular communications, motor control, sensors, Internet connected systems and more. For more information including a sample chapter and table of contents, visit the book page.
