Tag: Modular

The whole idea of the modular phone is great. Not a new concept of course but a good application of the idea. I think that this stuff started with hardware like the Handspring Visor and its springboard modular hardware. I think that what’s happening now is a continuation of that. It’s a step in the right direction. But I do have issues with it.

So it appears that there are at least three different companies working on modular phones. That’s fine. It’s a good thing. But what I don’t like is that they’re all doing things in different ways and without a single central standard. So you won’t, as far as I’m aware, be able to swap modules from one type or brand of device to another. That doesn’t make any sense to me at all. I think it’s a lost opportunity.

My other problem is that these modular phones are all going to run Android. I can understand the reasons for this. I know it makes sense, but I’d really like to see some other operating systems available. In fact, more than that I’d like to see the ability to dual boot systems on modular phones, that would be consistent with having a modular phone. Makes sense doesn’t it? So why have only one OS? I don’t get it.

I hope that at least one of these companies can get it right and make a big step in the right direction, but at the moment I’m not convinced.