phonebloks

[phonebloks]

LG G5, the expandable modular smartphone

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcellona, LG presented their next-gen smartphone called G5 that introduces two modular add-ons. 

The G5 has an accessory slot at the bottom, which allows users to remove the battery and to swap in different modules. 

The first module is called  “LG Cam Plus” and includes a 1,200mAh battery and buttons for diverse camera functions such as zoom and shutter release.

A second module is called “LG Hi-Fi Plus”, a digital to analog converter (DAC) that offers the best sound quality among smartphones. It is a partnership with audio maker Bang & Olufsen. 

Full phone specifications:

Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm Weight: 159 g Display: IPS LCD 5.3 inches, 1440 x 2560 pixels (~554 ppi pixel density) OS: Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Quad-core GPU: Adreno 530 Memory: Internal 32 GB + MicroSd slot, 4 GB RAM Camera: Primary 16 MP (f/1.8) + 8 MP (f/2.4, wide-angle camera), Secondary 8 MP

LG will launch its G5 flagship smartphone in April.

[phonebloks]

One Education Infinity, a modular laptop for children and schools, has arrived on Indiegogo

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

One Education, OLPC’s partner non-profit in Australia, presented some months ago a modular laptop/tablet, called Infinity. 

It is a tough device made specifically for kids, with modular components and multiple operating systems. 

This product is divided in 2 main parts, the tablet (Infinity Hub) with the screen module and the keyboard/base station. The modules are inserted into big boxes behind the screen, concealed under a silicon cover. Each component, connected via USB-C, has a different color. 

The orange module is the Core (with CPU, RAM, storage and WiFi), the blue one is the battery and the violet includes two cameras, one for the front and one for the rear. 

The organization just launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise $50,000. The first configuration has these technical specifications:

The Infinity, currently, runs Android but the company is working on Linux OS / Windows 10 based Core Modules. This tablet will come with a selection of educational apps pre-installed, created specifically for this device.

The Infinity backers can order this device for $249, estimated delivery date is September 2016.

[phonebloks]

A Message From Blocks:

Why Modularity makes a lot of sense for smartwatches?

After nearly two years in development, we finally launched our kickstarter campaign for the world’s first modular smartwatch, BLOCKS. We are so excited and amazed by the level of support we have got! We reached around $1,000,000 in pre-orders in just one week on kickstarter and now we are getting close to be in the 15 highest funded technology kickstarter campaigns of all time!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2106691934/blocks-the-worlds-first-modular-smartwatch

But why do we think modularity is the future consumer electronics and what is the story behind BLOCKS?

BLOCKS was started by us, Ali Tahmaseb and Serge Didenko. We are both bioengineers and we are both very passionate about bio-sensors and wearable technology. Two years ago, we were working on a new type of a smart wrist-band which could detect finger and wrist gestures. The goal was to control the music on your phone and manage phone calls by subtle finger taps and small wrist rotations. Approaching our friends with this idea, we realized our device needs to have many other features and sensors to appeal to more people. Ali was interested in gesture control, contactless payments and access, and cellular connectivity while Serge was more into health, sports and medical applications of this smartwatch. Other people had their own needs and requirements for an ideal smartwatch as well! Obviously, it was not possible to put all these sensors and functionalities in one device. It is not technically feasible to fit all these hardware functionalities in one device. The battery life would be short and the production cost would be very high. We wanted to optimize this and make a smartwatch which would appeal to most users. Sending out surveys to more than 1,000 people, we understood that there is no single smartwatch that can work for everyone. Each person has a unique lifestyle, with various  hobbies, sports, activities, and requirements, and therefore they need to have a different type of smartwatch. We were struggling to find the features in an ideal smartwatch until … In December 2013, Ali had this idea of making our smartwatch modular. We soon became aware of Phonebloks and Dave Hakkens. We were absolutely delighted by seeing the idea of a modular smartphone and the large community that Phonebloks had gathered. Phonebloks totally made sense to us, and of course a lot of other people. We keep on changing our phones, just for incremental upgrades or because a broken part can’t be repaired. Later on, we got to talk to the people in the Project Ara team and see how Dave’s idea is becoming real.

We think modularity makes a lot of sense for smartwatches as well. By spreading the technology around the wrist, we can increase the space of electronics and give more features to users. Also, we can make the watch less thick and more beautiful. The display Module (we call it the Core), already has all the standard features of any other smartwatch, like phone notifications, activity tracking and voice control. The small links in the strap of the watch, Modules, can add to the functionality of the Core. There is a wide range of possible Modules: extra battery, GPS, heart rate, payments, access cards, cellular connectivity, gesture control, body temperature, outside temperature, pressure, humidity, air quality, memory, fingerprint, and many more.

Not only BLOCKS can offer more in functionality, but also it will not get obsolete and will save the planet earth! The technology for smartwatches is advancing every few months, and the users of smartwatches will need to get a new one every year just to keep up with the always evolving technology and they will end up wasting of lot of electronics. With BLOCKS, we keep what still works, like the Core, and a lot of the Modules, and then we can add the new technologies and sensors, in the form factor of new Modules. All Modules will be compatible with each other. You can add or replace new Modules when they become available.

Last but not least, BLOCKS is an open-platform, just like Phonebloks. Any company or individual, not only can develop apps, but also can create Modules. The collective power of masses, is what has brought Android, Wikipedia, and many other open-platforms to this powerful tools available right now. We think that by opening up this technology to any other company, we can make the ultimate smartwatch experience with the most advanced functions and sensors. BLOCKS can be used in every day life, by professionals, and even in various industries like factories, shipping industry, and more.

We have a long journey ahead of us, making BLOCKS the best smartwatch to sit on your wrists. We have a very skillful, young and passionate team to work day and night on making this possible. We are also being supported and collaborating with the best companies from around the world like Qualcomm, ARM, AT&T, EE, Tateossian, PixArt, Entertech, and many more to make the best modular experience and we are working with Compal Electronics, one of the largest and most reliable manufacturers in the world.

Once again, we are very happy to be part of the phonebloks community. There is still one day left from our kickstarter campaign and we hope that you can join us with our modular wearable revolution.

[phonebloks]

Where will modularity bring us?

Tomas Halberstad, Phonebloks

As we’ve spoke of many times, we at Phonebloks believe that modularity is the way to go when it comes to reducing the electronic waste streams that consumer electronics generate. We’ve also on several occasions noted that modularity in itself might not be able to do the whole job. We also need to look at consumer behaviors and the materials from which consumer electronics are built. 

Apart from these three building bloks (pun intended) we’ve also said that though we believe modularity will help reduce electronic waste streams should it be shown it does not, we’ll keep looking around for something that will, and in that, change our minds. 

So, with all this in mind, naturally, there needs to be a discussion on what modularity might bring us. Enter Stefan Laser. A few months ago we got an e-mail from sociologist Stefan Laser regarding this very topic. He’d already started a web page on it and was interested in taking the discussion further. So, this is what we are doing. 

Below you’ll find an introduction from Stefan and a link to our community where the discussion will be held. We’d love to see you there!

“Hello Phonebloks! I’m doing academic research on electronic waste and I’m fascinated by the idea of modular smartphones. Dave and Tomas, the team of Phonebloks in general, and I invite you to take part in a workshop-like event on Phonebloks’ forum. We want to do a quick recap on where modularity has brought us so far. And where it might bring us.

I want to understand better what is driving the economies of electronic gadgets — the omnipresent smartphone being the prime instance. I think that modular smartphone concepts such as Puzzlephone, Project Ara and others might change the way products are produced and used. I built a (small website) to summarize what especially the controversial discussions on the web have been about so far. Now, however, I am convinced that we need to join forces to take a step further.

The community of Phonebloks stands out for its enthusiastic discussions. This is the perfect place to embrace new questions. Besides, roughly two years after Phonebloks’ first video was published, it is the right time to do such a project. Because some phone-concepts are close to entering the market, it’s become clear that this science-fiction-like idea it was in the beginning is actually very close to becoming reality.”

You’ll find the community thread here.

[phonebloks]

PuzzlePhone has arrived on Indiegogo

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

PuzzlePhone is a modular smartphone, made in Finland, build to last. This phone is developed by a Finnish start-up, called Circular Devices. 

PuzzlePhone is made out of three essential modules, the Heart, the Spine, and the Brain, that can be upgraded, for maximum longevity and performance.

 If you break your screen, you can easily replace the Spine. If your battery dies, a new Heart will make your phone run like new. Want to increase performance and storage, a quick switch of the Brain will give you the upgrade you need. PuzzlePhone team has finally launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, seeking to raise $250,000 in 42 days. 

The company, on Indiegogo, has unveiled the PuzzlePhone technical specifications:

Display: 5” Full HD (1920 x 1080) Front camera: 5 Megapixels Rear camera: 12 Megapixels + LED Flash Battery: 2.800 mAh SoC: ARM 64 bits, 8 cores RAM memory: 3 GB Storage Memory: 16/32/64 GB Connectivity: 2G/3G/4G/LTE Cat4/6, USB 3.0/2.0 Type-C, NFC + Bluetooth 4.2 , WiFI 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS Size: 69 mm X 137 mm X 8.9 mm Weight: 170 g

The first 250 PuzzlePhone backers can order the 16GB version for $333, with price rising to $444 for 32GB of storage (retail price $667) and $777 for the Limited Edition with 64 GB of internal memory. 

The PuzzlePhone's earliest estimated delivery date is September 2016.

[phonebloks]

News from PuzzlePhone

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

PuzzlePhone is a modular smartphone developed by a Finnish start-up, called Circular Devices, founded by Spanish engineer Alejandro Santacreu. 

For those who don’t remember, this phone is made out of 3 major parts: the Brain, the Heart and the Spine. 

The Brain contains critical electronics: the CPU, GPU, RAM, memory, and cameras. The Spine is the main structure with an high­-res display. Core spine elements will be available in a variety of sizes and materials. The Heart contains the battery. It will be the enabler of secondary electronics and features chosen by the user. 

On the new PuzzlePhone website, Circular Devices has unveiled new images of the final version of the phone.

The company also announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, on next November the 3rd 2015. 

The cheapest version will cost €299 , for the first 250 units. The regular price on Indiegogo will be €449 or €499, depending on storage configuration and the retail price will be €599. PuzzlePhone will also launch a limited edition version for €699. The product will be delivered in Q3/Q4 2016. 

Circular devices is also working on a development platform, called Open Standard. “Companies and brands joining the PuzzlePhone Open Standard will be provided with a ready­-made standard and a one stop shop for R&D, testing, certification, manufacturing, and logistics”  they explained. 

The company is also working with new partners as Vulcan Vision. Their ubiQVue technology allows the viewing of any moving object, such as an athlete, from any desired viewpoint. ubiQVue and PuzzlePhone enables you to float around the athlete, viewing the performance from all angles. PuzzlePhone includes an almost ready action camera running Android, and provides an easy-­to-­customize solution that matches Vulcan Vision requirements. 

Circular Device also works with iFixit to develop a smartphone easy to repair and with Fraunhofer IZM, in R&D, “to ensure best practices in sustainable design, guaranteeing robust, reliable electronic systems” they said. 

“PuzzlePhone invites consumers to join us in making their voices heard, making a statement about sustainable priorities, as well as sending a message to the industry that PuzzlePhone is the paradigm shift from ‘take, make, waste��� to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,” the company wrote in the press release. “We are the androids you are looking for!”

[phonebloks]

The third Ara module prototype developed by Hearts

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

On Twitter, Joseph Kim, the founder of Hearts, has shown the 3.1 version of an interesting mHealth Project Ara module. 

It's a glucose meter, a very useful tiny module, made for a 1X2 slot. 

This module is equipped with a display to show its operation modes. 

It also has it's own battery. “It could be useful for emergency situation when Ara phone is out of battery or off. It should be working on any situation because this module is a medical device. It will work as standalone and Ara module” , explained Joseph Kim.

[phonebloks]

BLOCKS modular smartwatch has launched its Kickstarter campaign

by Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

After nearly two years of development, BLOCKS has now arrived on Kickstarter.

Google ATAP has delayed the Project Ara, but BLOCKS, instead, is ready to mass production. 

The BLOCKS smartwatch will be made up of a number of modules and users will be able to customize according to their needs. 

In particular the Core module is based on a circular colour touchscreen and performs most functions of current smartwatches and the strap is made up of several modules with different functions, for example a GPS sensor or an heart rate monitor. BLOCKS units are hot swappable and easily replaceable. You don't need to restart the watch when you connect a new module. 

BLOCKS will have a variety of apps on launch, equivalent to a standard smartwatch, such as notifications, activity tracking, calendar, smartphone camera control, call from phone, voice search, voice memos, maps, payments, alarm timer, environment tracking. 

The core of the smartwatch runs a modified version of Android Lollipop with an elegant interface. These are its tech specs:

- 1.34” diameter TFT display (320 X 290) - Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad-core processor - WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) - Microphone for voice messages / memos / voice controls - 1,5 days battery life (400 mAh) - Accelerometer/Gyroscope/Magnetometer - Vibration motor for notifications - 512 MB RAM / 4 GB Flash memory.

In the crowdfunding campaign, you can buy the core module and any number of the following modules:

- Battery block (Each extra battery module gives at least 20% more charge) - Heart rate module - GPS module - NFC Contactless payments block - Activity Module (pressure, altitude and temperature)  

Other modules will be released if the campaign receives enough support:

- SIM/ GSM Module (You will send and receive your messages or reply to emails with voice.) - Fingerprint Module to authenticate contactless payments - Led module for notifications or use it as a torch - Programmable button module.

Currently, BLOCKS is compatible with iOS and Android devices. The company is developing an open platform, enabling anyone to make their own modules.

They have already partnered with major tech companies to develop more functions and have over 1,500 individual developers signed up. The Software Development Kit (SDK) and the Module Development Kit (MDK) will be available soon. An air quality sensor, a camera module, a Flash memory block, are just some of the modules that you could have from the third party developers in the not too distant future.

In the future, the company will also develop new Cores with different types of display (E-ink or rectangular). 

This smartwatch can accommodate between majority of wrist sizes, 140mm-200mm in circumferences, and it has an ergonomic shape to be comfortable to wear in any configuration with an adjustable clasp. Small wrist would comfortably fit 4 additional modules in addition to the Core unit and individuals with larger wrists could fit up to 5 modules. 

The company has also developed the BLOCKStore. It will enable developers and companies to sell their own modules and you’ll also be able to trade in your old blocks to make sure that nothing is wasted. This modular watch will arrive on the market in May 2016. It’s now available on Kickstarter in different configurations:

- BLOCKS Core + a strap without other modules for $195 - BLOCKS Core + 4 modules of your choice for $250/275 - PLATINUM PACK ($445): BLOCKS core with 4 modules of your choice + the next 3 modules the company will release + a personalized watchface + your name engraved on the Core block.

You can also purchase additional modules for 30 $ each.

In conclusion, this smartwatch has an impressive potential. BLOCKS, lets you design your own watch. “It is more sustainable, better for the environment and the consumer: modular means less upgrades and more choice” said the company.

[phonebloks]

RePhone kit: an open source modular phone

By Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

A company called Seeed has recently on Kickstarter launched  an interesting modular phone. 

RePhone will let you create your own phone in minutes with several modules, an accessible software and a customizable phone case. 

This open source modular phone kit is also a set of tools and components that allows everyone to add cellular communication to different objects. For example to have a conversation/link with your pets, toys, motorcycle, robots or drones through RePhone’s GSM and 3G functions. 

In particular, Seeed has developed a RePhone Core Module and a RePhone kit Create. 

RePhone GSM + BLE module is a little SOC with GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth connection with a 2G nano SIM card. 

RePhone Kit Create includes a RePhone Core Module GSM + BLE, an audio module, a 1.54'' touchscreen, a 520 mAh battery and two precut Kraft Paper to assemble a phone case. This DIY platform lets you create your personal case using a lot of materials, for example wood, plastic, leather, etc. 

The company has also developed other modules with NFC, GPS, 3G connection, a camera and basic sensors (3-Axis Accelerometer, a Temperature Sensor and a Light Sensor ). 

RePhone is compatible with the Arduino (IDE) platform, with the Pebble smartwatch and with IFTTT (If This, Then That) technology. 

The dev team has created rich libraries hooking into Lua and Javascript, with detailed example to help entry-level programmers.They also provide an SDK, based on Eclipse IDE, for C/C++ developers to work with high level applications. There are also simply software to download into the RePhone to make it work. 

The Rephone Core will be sold for 12/19 dollars and the entire kit for 39/59 dollars, with first deliveries scheduled for this month.

[phonebloks]

XPX Life 7 modular tablet

By Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

Click ARM One is not the only modular tablet presented until now. Last year the Chinese company XPX showed a modular tablet with a 7-inch screen, called LIFE 7. 

This device reminds us of the design of Project Ara with several interchangeable modules. The starting configuration of LIFE 7 includes an IPS screen (1024 x 600) and a quad core SOC, clocked at 1.5 GHz, with 1 GB of Ram and 8 GB of internal storage. 

The tablet is based on Android 4.4 and also allows you to update the camera (0.3-2.0 MPX), the modem (2G, 3G, 4G) and the battery (2100 mAh).

In addition to this economic device, XPX also, at the recent Las Vegas CTIA Super Mobility 2015, showed  a new modular phone platform. 

All the electronics of a normal smartphone has been split into blocks to be assembled in a customizable case. The customers can choose different displays, memory modules and various types of camera. These electronic components enable you to buy a low-spec modular phone with Android 4.4.2. The different parts are not enclosed in a plastic case so the assembly of the various components is not particularly simple, it requires appropriate skills and qualified personnel, authorized by XPX.

[phonebloks]

PuzzlePhone Gets EU Funding

By Tomas Halberstad, Phonebloks

Yesterday, we were reached by a press release stating that Circular Devices, the company behind PuzzlePhone, has secured EU funding! Everyone at Phonebloks would like to congratulate everyone at Circular Devices for this amazing feat. Great things are before us!

“Circular Devices Ltd., the Finnish startup behind the PuzzlePhone modular devices,  proudly announces today that the European Union has funded our the project to cover a significant part of our R&D journey. This funding secures the product development, rewards Circular Devices achievements, and is a testament to the trust of the European supply chain, backing the PuzzlePhone development and production. This EU support involves the constitution of the Consortium for the sustainablySMART project Sustainable Smart Mobile Devices Lifecycles through Advanced Re-design, Reliability, and Re-use and Remanufacturing Technologies. This sustainablySMART project is part of the Horizon 2020 EU Research and Innovation programme.”

Read more about it here.

[phonebloks]

A new Ara module prototype developed by Hearts

By Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

On Twitter, Joseph Kim, the founder of Hearts, has shown a new mHealth Project Ara module.

Project Ara’s low cost and its modular architecture can provide an ideal platform for mobile Health.

Hearts has developed the second prototype of a glucose meter, a 1X2 module with a tiny display.

At the second Ara developer conference, Joseph Kim had already shown the first prototype (2x2 module) of an open source medical module for Project Ara.

[phonebloks]

Acer Revo Build, a modular Desktop PC

By Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

At the IFA 2015 in Berlin, Acer announced a mini Desktop PC with modular components. 

In this way users can add and take away modules as they want. The Revo Build M1-601 is packaged in a tiny 1 liter chassis with a 125 x 125 mm footprint that takes up minimal space and can be placed almost anywhere.  

The Acer Revo Build comes with different components. The base unit comes with a Intel Pentium or Celeron CPU with integrated Intel HD graphics, while the system memory (up to 8GB DDR4 RAM) can be easily upgraded by just loosening one screw.  

Blocks such as the 500 GB/1TB hot-swappable Portable Hard Drive will be available at launch,  while  a  Wireless  Power  Bank, an Audio  Block  (with speakers  and microphones) and other expansion modules will be rolled out gradually. Future modules will include new features such as a projector Block and even an external graphics module with an AMD graphics card. 

The  modules  are  connected  through  pogo  pins  with  magnetic  alignment  so  that  there’s  no  hassle  with  wires  when  swapping  out  modules. The  Blocks  can  also  work  independently or with other PCs. 

This modular mini-PC will be sold in Europe for 199 euro in October and in China, in December, for 1,999 yen. 

[phonebloks]

Bits of news from the Project Ara team

By Giulio Minotti, Phonebloks

During the last days, the official Twitter Project Ara account continues to be very active. 

The team has shown the new logo and announced several bits of news. Project Ara will no longer use electropermanent magnets (EPM) to keep the modules attached to the endoskeleton. 

An electropermanent magnet can be switched on and off electrically and it doesn't require power to remain magnetized. 

The EPM technology was one of the most important Project Ara innovations, a great development effort created in collaboration with Foxconn, one of the leading hardware manufacturers in the world. It seems like an optimal solution for a modular smartphone, but apparently this technology has some unknown issues. 

Ara is now moving on from using EPM to a “signature experience to attach/detach modules.”

A day after tweeting about a failed drop test caused by EPM, the Ara team is pulling back and claiming that was a " joke." They also add: “We have been configuring a new solution. It's better too.” 

On Twitter, the Project Ara team also promised better battery life and a better camera. 

For those who don’t remember, at Google I/O 2015, Rafa Camargo, the new Technical and Engineering Lead, showed off an Ara prototype with a fully functioning camera module. 

In conclusion, we're confident that the Project Ara team is on the right track and working hard towards a launch in 2016.

[phonebloks]

Help Phonebloks win the People's Choice award for the ‪Index Award 2015 ‬‪‎Design To Improve Life‬ Home category by casting your vote behind the link below. Don't know Danish? Google Translate!

[phonebloks]

Some Thoughts On The Project Ara Delay

by Dave Hakkens, Phonebloks

A few days ago project Ara said they are delayed.People got upset, look at our facebook/phonebloks. And well..people have a point. Google promised. But i'm not sad, here is why:

When I shared Phonebloks it was just an idea, something I thought would make sense to reduce e-waste. It was a future vision, something that would hopefully be made in 5-10 years.

Some companies are trying to make a modular phone. Of all those companies Google is taking the biggest leap. They have an insane amount of resources/smart guys and set a 2 year timeframe for themselves to get it done. Seemed unrealistic and turns out it is. They are delayed for over a year! However this is not bad. Sure the sooner it would be in our hands the better since we could save e-waste. But it’s not just a new smartphone update. The future of our phone is being made here. It takes time and they should take their time, make it right.

[phonebloks]

Some News On Project Ara

by Tomas Halberstad, Phonebloks

After a few months of information hiatus, coincidentally coinciding with a management shift with project lead Paul Eremenko leaving the project, Project Ara has taken to Twitter to shed some light on how they will move forward, because move forward they will! 

There was nothing too specific. Project Ara are holding their cards pretty close to their chest for this one. Though, we’ve learnt a few things.

The market pilot planned for Puerto Rico later this year is off. In what must be a wink at Google Maps turn-by-turn functionality, they say that they are recalculating and that the market pilot is re-routing. While this is not goodbye to Puerto Rico, they are looking at a few other locations, in the U.S. One of these locations will be where the market pilot will be held. Which locations these are is anyones guess. Though, this new U.S. based market pilot has been pushed back from Puerto Ricos 2015 to 2016.

One could speculate that the aforementioned management shift has a roll to play in this recalculating and re-routing. Project Ara give and imply a few other reasons. First, Project Ara are stating that there were many more iterations of the phone than they thought there would be, implying compatibility issues and/or logistical issues. Second, with their two last tweets, part of which read ”We want to give users more space for more modules. So we grouped the core functionality to free up space.” and ”Seriously? All this needs to fit in that?” they seem to be implying engineering difficulties on a technical and/or time schedule level.

We at Phonebloks will be following the development of Project Ara as closely as ever and are very happy that the development of a modular mobile phone is going forward!