From what I've observed in the past years, it's that the people like unity and simplicity. That's one of the reasons why iPhones are so popular. I actually think this is the start of a good idea, but they still haven't hit home run. They should try a different approach if this doesn't work out as expected.  

Yeah I don't really want my phone looking like a plastic mosaic all the time.

Some of those little add-ons seem kinda redundant since they're just a physical version of some app or widget you can just download.

However I do like the idea of adding more storage, repairing your screen or improving your camera, that can actually save you a bunch of money.  

Posted by TWIZ

From what I've observed in the past years, it's that the people like unity and simplicity. That's one of the reasons why iPhones are so popular. I actually think this is the start of a good idea, but they still haven't hit home run. They should try a different approach if this doesn't work out as expected.

Enthuasists don't, and modular phones would attract people like us who like to piece together our own hardware. The fact that there's such a massive custom PC scene shows that there is a market for this.  

I'm definitely getting one. Gonna be sweet.  

Posted by Crono

Enthuasists don't, and modular phones would attract people like us who like to piece together our own hardware. The fact that there's such a massive custom PC scene shows that there is a market for this.

Custom computers are completely different. About a year ago, I had the idea of custom phones, rather than piecing together a backside of the phone with different apparatuses, it would essentially be the same as building a custom computer. When you compare these two concepts, it shouldn't be very hard to tell that they are completely different. Let's take cars, for instance. They are customizable, and yet people still buy them. But this is different. Instead of customizing, you are piecing together a bunch of blocks on the back of your phone to perform various operations. The only useful thing I believe would change the future of smart phones would be the easily replaceable screen.  

Posted by TWIZ

Custom computers are completely different. About a year ago, I had the idea of custom phones, rather than piecing together a backside of the phone with different apparatuses, it would essentially be the same as building a custom computer. When you compare these two concepts, it shouldn't be very hard to tell that they are completely different. Let's take cars, for instance. They are customizable, and yet people still buy them. But this is different. Instead of customizing, you are instead piecing together a bunch of blocks on the back of your phone to perform various operations. The only useful thing I believe would change the future of smart phones would be the easily replaceable screen.

Not completely different at all, the same people who love piecing together hardware will love piecing together their phones. There's a massive market for things that aren't done like iDevices. This is useful because it can extend the lifetime of certain parts.  

I remember the original modular phone concept from Google looked like this:
http://image.ec21.com/image/tianliplastic/oimg_GC05269784_CA05710031/Snap_Counting_Cubes_Connecting_Cubes_Multi_Link_Cubes.jpg (Unsupported image host)

And I was like D: but it looks much more appealing now.

edit: Here it is, guess it doesn't quite look like that but still looked ugly as hell:
http://img.weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/modular-upgradeable-phone-concept.jpg (Unsupported image host)  

Posted by Crono

Enthuasists don't, and modular phones would attract people like us who like to piece together our own hardware. The fact that there's such a massive custom PC scene shows that there is a market for this.

Yeah only the market for a modular phone would probably be 1000x smaller then the market for PCs.

I don't really see a whole lot of customization here besides adding a bunch of redundant pieces on phone.

I'd rather buy a Lego iPhone case and build on that.  

Posted by 5hift

Yeah only the market for a modular phone would probably be 1000x smaller then the market for PCs.

I don't really see a whole lot of customization here besides adding a bunch of redundant pieces on phone.

I'd rather buy a Lego iPhone case and build on that.

Redundant pieces? because you don't need any additional hardware to measure water ph or any kind of special camera to see in the dark?

Seriously though, what modules would you see as redundant?  

Posted by Tricxta

Redundant pieces? because you don't need any additional hardware to measure water ph or any kind of special camera to see in the dark?

Seriously though, what modules would you see as redundant?

Measure water pH?

Night vision?

I'd never use those options unless I was a Navy Seal or something lol.

And what I meant by redundant was like some stupid compass or clock widget.

Why the hell would you need a physical version when you can just download some app for it or something?

The whole idea just seems kinda silly.  

Posted by 5hift

Measure water pH?

Night vision?

I'd never use those options unless I was a Navy Seal or something lol.

And what I meant by redundant was like some stupid compass or clock widget.

Why the hell would you need a physical version when you can just download some app for it or something?

The whole idea just seems kinda silly.

The idea means the device can cater to an individual person's field of work.
But what you've mentioned are only proposals of potentially infinite modules that could exist, there's no rule saying you need to include a watch or a compass or anything!(just don't get silly).

For the average user though, there's always the possibility of upgrading to the latest and greatest camera without having to scrap the entire device. If not for yourself, do it for the environment. You only get one earth(for now).  

Posted by Tricxta

The idea means the device can cater to an individual person's field of work.
But what you've mentioned are only proposals of potentially infinite modules that could exist, there's no rule saying you need to include a watch or a compass or anything!(just don't get silly).

For the average user though, there's always the possibility of upgrading to the latest and greatest camera without having to scrap the entire device. If not for yourself, do it for the environment. You only get one earth(for now).

Let's briefly narrow down the possibilities:
If you initially have a small target market, you're going to have a relatively hard time sufficing to their positional and personal needs. Accounting for this, many investors and manufacturers will be screwed and go out of business.  

Look, I just don't see physical widgets and addons for phones much as a viable selling point considering downloadable ones are much easier to get and cheaper.

As for interchangeable cameras, storage, audio and screens, those seem like actually logical ideas for a modular phone.  

Posted by 5hift

Look, I just don't see physical widgets and addons for phones much as a viable selling point considering downloadable ones are much easier to get and cheaper.

As for interchangeable cameras, storage, audio and screens, those seem like actually logical ideas for a modular phone.

Exactly my point I made earlier. Although they are interchangeable already, it would be nice to have easy access and replacement.  

Posted by TWIZ

Exactly my point I made earlier. Although they are interchangeable already, it would be nice to have easy access and replacement.

Oh but it does... hot swapping all the way!