Facebook Files Patent for a Modular Smartphone

Facebook is exploring a device with interchangeable parts that could be used as a smartphone or a speaker. As Facebook Files Patent for a Modular Smartphone. The modules in the patent include a speaker, a microphone, a GPS and a touchscreen for a device that could function as a speaker, a phone or a GPS tracking device.

Facebook Files Patent for a Modular Smartphone

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This concept is not new, the design follows Google’s modular smartphone Project Ara. The project was delayed and ultimately abandoned in 2016. Most important point is that several former members of Google’s Project Ara team now work for Facebook.

“From a consumer perspective, the life cycle of conventional consumer electronics is expensive and wasteful,”

Facebook said in the patent application.

“Typically, the hardware components included in the consumer electronics that are considered ‘outdated’ are still useable. However, the hardware components can no longer be re-used since consumer electronics are designed as closed systems,”

This is not the first time that Facebook is working on a smartphone project. Back in 2013, Facebook worked with HTC to launch HTC First.

However, if we talk about modular smartphone, LG is the one who has manufactured first modular smartphone, G5, last year. LG G5 had modular battery packs, cameras and Hi-Fi systems.

Not only Facebook, Apple has also filed a patent for modular device back in March. The device would combine an iPhone into a Macbook body.

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