Phonebloks is a new concept for a smartphone that you can build and customize like LEGO blocks. Promising to be “the best phone in the world”, the idea is headed by Dave Hakkens and has gone viral over the past 2 days. As of writing the YouTube video already has over 4 million views, and it appears that the official website, phonebloks.com has crashed under heavy load. The goal, termed “crowdspeaking”, is to generate enough buzz to get the attention of big companies and investors to participate in this venture.
Already it is getting such reactions as being the iPhone or Android killer, but we think is a entirely on its own class as a next generation smart mobile device.
The basic concept is to come up with a fully customize-able mobile device that uses “bloks”. Bloks are essentially modules that perform specific functions such as the screen, cellular radio, WiFi, battery, camera, memory, etc can be snapped onto a base panel. If one module breaks or becomes outdated then you simply upgrade it. The flexibility is ideal since it allows users to create their own custom mobile device to suit their needs.
Let’s say you already have a DSLR and do not need camera functions on your phone but you like to play games, so instead of using a camera module you can use that space for something else – say, extra processing speed. Like listening to music an watching movies on your device? Load it up with bloks that enhance the audio visual function. Going on a long vacation? Load up your device with memory and more battery. The possibilities are endless.
Interestingly the system will adapt the open source model, allowing anyone to write their own components or extend existing ones. In concept this kind of technology is possible. It is akin to the desktop PCs whose components can be upgraded and replaced when they break down or become obsolete. Because of its size and hardware restrictions tinkering and upgrading smartphones and tablets are limited to memory or battery upgrades. In a year or less your once top of the line smartphone will become obsolete and in order to upgrade you need to replace the entire device. It is no manufacturers like Samsung and Apple are making a killing out of it.
The challenge here, of course, is that you need funds in order to make this technology possible. This is quite tricky, since the base panel will have to be flexible enough to act as a mediator and channel digital and analog signals as well as electric power, much like the way your USB portal can both transfer data and charge your phone at the same time. Then you have to make it very very fast and very very small.
Will this project ever become a reality? If we make enough noise, it just might. Make yourself be heard and spread the word. Like, share, and share your thoughts below!