Operation Phonebox

Operation Phonebox: Let's gather photos of as many Smartphone Boxes as we can

Introduction

Building upon the success of previous Open Food Facts initiatives like "What's in my soda?" and "What's in my yogurt?", the "Operation Phonebox" operation invites you to contribute smartphone information to Open Products Facts, the global database of products, by simply taking photos of your smartphone boxes. These images can unveil a wealth of knowledge about the smartphone itself, beyond just its packaging.

Why focus on smartphone boxes?

• Hidden Treasures: Smartphone boxes often contain a goldmine of information printed directly on them. This can include technical specifications, model numbers, manufacturing details, and more.
• Completeness and Accuracy: By crowdsourcing this information from actual product packaging, we can enhance the completeness and accuracy of the Open Products Facts database, ensuring users have access to reliable data.
• Accessibility: Not everyone has the technical know-how to navigate complex smartphone settings or decipher online specifications. Photos of smartphone boxes offer a simple, visual way to access crucial information.
• Packaging Insights: While the primary focus is on the smartphone itself, we can also glean valuable insights about packaging materials, sustainability efforts, and included accessories.

How to participate

1. Find a smartphone box: Locate any smartphone box you have at home, or in your attic.
2. Take photos: Capture clear photos of all sides of the box, paying special attention to any text, labels, barcodes, or QR codes. Make sure to hide the serial number and IMEI code, as they could be used for nefarious purposes.
3. Upload to Open Products Facts: Find or create the product page for the smartphone on Open Products Facts. Add your photos, ensuring they are clearly labeled and categorized.
   1. Use the Open Products Facts website
   2. Use the Open Food Facts mobile app, and flag us the barcode to be moved to Open Products Facts
   3. Use the Open Food Facts mobile app, enable the dev mode, Enable DEV as the Server URL, and use new.openproductsfacts.org as a custom URL (and then use the app to upload the photos). Warning: do not forget to go back to PROD when you want to add food again.
4. Data Extraction (Optional): If you have the time and inclination, you can attempt to transcribe any relevant information from the box photos directly onto the product page.

Data analysis

The collected images and extracted data can be analyzed to:

• Enrich Product Pages: Fill in missing information on existing product pages, such as model numbers, technical specifications, or country of origin.
• Create New Product Pages: If the smartphone isn't already in the database, the box photos can provide enough information to create a new entry.
• Identify Variations: Discover regional differences in smartphone models or packaging.

Join the movement!

Help us unlock the secrets hidden within smartphone boxes! Your contributions will empower consumers to make informed choices and promote transparency in the smartphone industry.

Remember:

• Follow Open Products Facts guidelines for uploading photos and data.
• Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #OperationPhonebox