Is this the future of smartphones?
- Thread starter Luke
- Start date
D
Deleted member 7467
If they could pull that off and make the design bearable, I'd love it.
It's surely nice to be able to have a phone worth keeping. But then again companies can make the blocks die easily so people will have to buy new components regularly... which still doesn't solve the original problem, haha. But I really like the idea of customizing the phone to your need. That's the most ideal phone, I bet. Hope to see it one day! XD
froggyboy604
Seasoned Veteran
There are cheap Android on a Stick PC which only cost $40 or more. If Android on a Stick PC can be made into one block to attach to a tablet, or Smartphone case with a screen, I think it would be better to have one block instead of many tiny blocks to make one phone since it would be easier to assemble.
[youtube]Utli-jn1rAA[/youtube]
There also might be compatibility problems with one CPU block, not working well with other block by other brands like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
[youtube]Utli-jn1rAA[/youtube]
There also might be compatibility problems with one CPU block, not working well with other block by other brands like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
minotechonline
Familiar Face
I think this is an awesome idea. Whether or not it will be a success is another story. The average smartphone user hardly knows what a processor or gpu is and would not be likely to embrace the idea of switching one out on their own.
But if they market it wisely this might start out as a niche and grow into something bigger like pc building has become. Anyway just my two cents, I would definitely buy one eventually.
But if they market it wisely this might start out as a niche and grow into something bigger like pc building has become. Anyway just my two cents, I would definitely buy one eventually.
One of my friends showed me this yesterday or the day before. I find it rather interesting, but i can defiantly see it happening at some point if their is a big enough demand for it. The concept of it is actually pretty neat, because if you need to change 1 thing then you could swap it out kinda like a PC. This would be much easier then having to buy a new phone etc for a couple years because in theory it would be like having a computer. When you have a computer you don't get a new one when 1 part goes bad (depending if it's a fixable situation or not) you can just buy a new part for it and fix it.
froggyboy604
Seasoned Veteran
There are cell phone repair men at stores, and a lot of companies also sell product protection/insurance plans like Apple Care which covers the cost of repairs, so I'm not sure if a phone block would save much money in the long run because it may cost less to hire someone off Craigslist, or at an electronics store to replace the screen, or battery with regular parts.
There is also a chance Phone blocks may increase the amount of Electronic waste because the blocks would need extra plastic, connectors, and wiring for them to all work, and people may not bother repairing the broken blocks, and throwing them in the trash instead of taking them to a proper electronics recycling center. People may also end up upgrading their blocks too often like how people upgrade their RAM too often even if it is not needed because it is fun, and cheap since the price of RAM is droping every year, and reading posts about RAM making a PC a lot faster.
App and Game makers may also end up making games, apps, etc which require better blocks on a phone, so people will upgrade their blocks on a monthly basis.
There is also a chance Phone blocks may increase the amount of Electronic waste because the blocks would need extra plastic, connectors, and wiring for them to all work, and people may not bother repairing the broken blocks, and throwing them in the trash instead of taking them to a proper electronics recycling center. People may also end up upgrading their blocks too often like how people upgrade their RAM too often even if it is not needed because it is fun, and cheap since the price of RAM is droping every year, and reading posts about RAM making a PC a lot faster.
App and Game makers may also end up making games, apps, etc which require better blocks on a phone, so people will upgrade their blocks on a monthly basis.
froggyboy604
Seasoned Veteran
The case, wiring and the connectors for the blocks may also be made of expensive materials like gold and silver which would bring up the cost of the blocks by convincing people to pay more for expensive blocks which look nicer, and claim to have better performance because of gold connectors instead of copper or nickel.
I think Phone Blocks would be good for people who want to build their own highend phones.
I think Phone Blocks would be good for people who want to build their own highend phones.
minotechonline
Familiar Face
Yeah, I don't see this being very wallet friendly either way. But for people looking to customize their phone as much as possible phonebloks would be the way to go. Kind of how pc's are today, there is a large amount of people who buy pre-mades and a smaller amount who build their own. The thing is you are supposed to save a little money by building your own pc. So that's the only reason I am skeptical, is the potential cost of components(bloks) compared to what OEMs are offering.
Black Angel
Resident
It sounds like a good idea in theory, but my immediate thoughts are:
A. It could be hell for those who have a permanent case of butter fingers where their phones are concerned, in which their phone spends more time on the floor in pieces rather than in their hand.
B. Even in its simplicity, it is still complicated. What if some parts are out of stock or back ordered or a country gets paranoid and thinks that they've stumbled upon components for building a bomb and seizes the parts your ordered for replacements, etc. You, and everyone else would be screwed.
C. If/when the above happens, people will be stuck with their broken phone for God knows how long before they finally get their part, that is even if they get their part, and are not subject to interrogation by the NSA, DHS, ATF, NCIS or any other acronymized agency or their equivalent in your country. On the best case scenario it would still take weeks because of customs and multiple inspections. I say this because I recently sent back a pair of D&G sunglasses I ordered from eBay to the U.K. from NYC because the lenses were the wrong shade and I wanted my money back if I couldn't get an exchange. I ordered them on 7/12, got them on 7/20, sent them back 7/22 and didnt get my refund for the purchase until 8/15 when the seller had just received it. The reason? U.S. Customs.
D. It could get incredibly expensive before you know it, not just because of the labor costs, but, because of competition and the desire to make a profit from their parts. This, combined with intentionally producing a limited supply to drive up demand would mean more money spent in the long run. It won't be long for the incentive to go this route goes out the window completely.. especially when combined with the last 2 items I posted above.
E. I am pretty sure this idea was thought up while they watched their kid play with Legos..
A. It could be hell for those who have a permanent case of butter fingers where their phones are concerned, in which their phone spends more time on the floor in pieces rather than in their hand.
B. Even in its simplicity, it is still complicated. What if some parts are out of stock or back ordered or a country gets paranoid and thinks that they've stumbled upon components for building a bomb and seizes the parts your ordered for replacements, etc. You, and everyone else would be screwed.
C. If/when the above happens, people will be stuck with their broken phone for God knows how long before they finally get their part, that is even if they get their part, and are not subject to interrogation by the NSA, DHS, ATF, NCIS or any other acronymized agency or their equivalent in your country. On the best case scenario it would still take weeks because of customs and multiple inspections. I say this because I recently sent back a pair of D&G sunglasses I ordered from eBay to the U.K. from NYC because the lenses were the wrong shade and I wanted my money back if I couldn't get an exchange. I ordered them on 7/12, got them on 7/20, sent them back 7/22 and didnt get my refund for the purchase until 8/15 when the seller had just received it. The reason? U.S. Customs.
D. It could get incredibly expensive before you know it, not just because of the labor costs, but, because of competition and the desire to make a profit from their parts. This, combined with intentionally producing a limited supply to drive up demand would mean more money spent in the long run. It won't be long for the incentive to go this route goes out the window completely.. especially when combined with the last 2 items I posted above.
E. I am pretty sure this idea was thought up while they watched their kid play with Legos..
froggyboy604
Seasoned Veteran
I recently watch a video on Techfeed that saids Phone Blocks won't happen now because a computer on a chip where the RAM, and CPU are combined into one chip would be faster because the electrical signal from the CPU to RAM travel shorter distances, so they are faster. Plus, with so many chips/blocks it would be hard for all the blocks to work with each other.
[youtube]10Q8ARvYVY0[/youtube]
I think it maybe best to buy an iPhone if you want a repairable phone which many repair men and electronics stores can quickly repair since many laptop and computer repair stores thesedays also repair iPhones, and Apple Care from the Apple Store repairs or even replace your phone if you damaged it.
[youtube]10Q8ARvYVY0[/youtube]
I think it maybe best to buy an iPhone if you want a repairable phone which many repair men and electronics stores can quickly repair since many laptop and computer repair stores thesedays also repair iPhones, and Apple Care from the Apple Store repairs or even replace your phone if you damaged it.
Gamer Outpost
Resident
Good find. Looks cool.
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