Modular smartphone

File:LG G5.jpg

LG G5

A modular smartphone is a smartphone made using different components that can be independently upgraded or replaced. This aims to reduce electronic waste, lower repair costs and increase user comfort.

The most important component is the main board, to which others (such as cameras or batteries) are attached. These are packaged in easy-to-remove modules which can be replaced as needed without having to rework the soldering. Components could be obtained from open-source hardware stores.

History

In 2013, Phonebloks was the first modular smartphone concept to attract widespread attention. Later that year Google/Motorola partnered with Phonebloks and announced "Project Ara". The first market pilot is scheduled for release in early 2015.

In late 2014, the Finnish tech startup Circular Devices Oy announced the Puzzlephone project, with phones that can be personalized at both operating system and hardware levels. It has received the support of Fraunhofer IZM and is scheduled for release in 2015.

During 2015, the Dutch social enterprise Fairphone developed the Fairphone 2, the first publicly available modular smartphone which will be released to sale in December of that year.

Components

Some example components:

• Spine (frame, screen and speakers)
• Brain (processor)
• Heart (battery and other modules).

Some example modules:

• Antenna
• Audio jack
• Battery
• Bluetooth
• Camera
• GPS
• Gyroscope
• Storage (RAM and permanent storage)
• Video jack (such as HDMI)
• WiFi
• Specialized modules for medical applications

Modular platforms

On sale:

• Fairphone 2 by Fairphone
• LG G5 by LG (the battery is the only modular component)

In development:

• Eco-Mobius by ZTE
• Project Ara by Google
• PuzzlePhone by Circular Devices (Finland)

Canceled :

• Vsenn by Vsenn (website offline since april 2015). The company stated in June 2015 : "Vsenn is licensing its technology to another brand. We tried everything to remain independent but we couldn't fight the financial pressure."
• Phonebloks by Phonebloks

See also

• Bug Labs
• Modular laptop
• Motorola
• Modular design
• Prosumer revolution
• Rollable display
• Software release life cycle
• StEP Initiative

External links

• Google plans 2015 Project Ara launch in Puerto Rico, partnering with Ingram Micro, OpenMobile, and Claro.
• How Google’s Project Ara smartphone will be
• Project Ara official website
• Motorola Mobility
• Project Ara Blog
• Toshiba Project Ara Modules: camera, media bar, Wi-Fi, display module, wireless communication and solution for activity measuring module.
• Phonebloks official website
• Phonebloks first video, the idea
• Phonebloks second video, the next step
• Google Advanced Technologies And Projects on Google+
• Puzzle Phone

• US application 20110230178, Jones; Gregory G.; (Seattle, WA) ; Hanson; Lisa M.; (Issaquah, WA) ; Kleist; Thomas; (Redbourn, GB); Hanson; Lisa M & Kleist; Thomas, "Mobile Communication Device Having Multiple, Interchangeable Second Devices", published 2011-09-22, issued YYYY-MM-DD, assigned to Microsoft Corporation 
• http://www.puzzlephone.com/when
• Google isn't the only one making a modular smartphone, Engadget, December 1st 2014.