modu-larity at MWC
by Imran Ali
One of the more interesting companies at last week’s Mobile World Congress was modu, pitching a teeny-tiny phone module that can be slotted into jackets that provide additional features.
These ‘expansion jackets’ - two of which ship with the basic phone - include larger screens, GPS capability, attachments for bikes, cameras, imaging and even other appliances such as an in-car stereo; kinda like the old iPaq jackets.
With organisations such as Limo, Android and OpenMoko pursuing openness of mobile hardware and software, mobu is focussing on the consumer experience of modularity and seeking to provide infinite combinations of devices to negate the need for upgrades.
However, without the open model being promulgated by the organisations above and the open source philosophy of companies such as Bug Labs, modu users could be limited to a small pool of extensions; a vibrant developer community could help keep mobu relevant in the eyes of users.
However, design and fashion are great influencers in handset choices and churn - without a strong design sensibility driving mobu jacket developers, an infinitely upgradable handset may simply not appeal in the face of Apple, Nokia and Sont Ericsson.
Fortunately, the mobu brand, product catalog and concept designs imply mobu has great taste…though it remains to be seen whether those concepts can be translated into great functional products.
