Facebook has a modular phone patent, but who knows if we'll see one
Facebook is exploring new handheld gadget with interchangeable parts that could used like a smartphone or portable speaker, a new patent application revealed on Thursday.
The product is described in the patent as a "modular electromagnetic device" and would work with different swappable modules like a speaker, microphone, GPS system, touchpad, and even a thermometer.
People would be encouraged to swap out modules they wanted to replace, or they could completely customize the gadget to fit their specific needs.
SEE ALSO:This slide reveals Facebook's cringeworthy hate speech policies"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"Typically, the hardware components included in the consumer electronics that are considered 'outdated' are still useable.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," the company added. So in theory, the gadget would have a long shelf-life and give users more control over its features.
The patent is the product of Facebook's Building 8 division, a secretive consumer hardware group working on ambitious ideas like typing words on a computer with your mind and augmented reality apps. What's notable about this group is that it recently hired Regina Dugan, the former head of Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group that created the failed Project Ara modular phone project.
Another intriguing piece to this story is that there have been rumors whirling around Facebook building a successful phone for several years, so this new patent will likely fuel rumors that the company is interested in building its own phone.
The original "Facebook phone," also known as HTC First, was launched a couple of years ago and was met with pretty abysmal reviews. Other modular smartphone projects like the LG G5 failed to reach wide-scale adoption as intended. Even the Moto Z -- which was reviewed well -- has failed to turn modular smartphones into a widespread success.
But take all of the modular smartphone hype with a huge grain of salt. Companies file for patents all the time, and they don't always follow through on the projects they file for. So, this could be another one of those circumstances where the product is never made.
One of the modules from the patent.Credit: USPTOStill, it's hard not to get excited about Facebook exploring consumer hardware. With all the brainiacs Facebook has housed in its Building 8 division, we imagine they'll come up with something awesome in the near future. Whether it's a modular phone remains to be seen, but we'll be here when they finally decide to announce it.
Featured Video For You
13 summer gadgets that don't suck
-
Smiley face on Mars is a telltale sign of its pastEngland expects as Euro 2022 nears春耕育秧新质生产力,清远农业又出圈White eyes Euros to cap glorious careerRuling bloc seeks tougher sentences for deepfake sex crimesYoon makes first commute to work in motorcadeN. Korea relocated warplanes after BIPEF will help enhance economic ties with IndoThe OLED BurnCarter wants to go to North Korea on peace mission
下一篇:[LLG] When compassion meets law: Lawyer defends goats, dogs, other helpless animals
- ·Number of COVID
- ·PSG appoint Galtier as Pochettino departs
- ·Kamala Harris reminding Mike Pence 'I'm speaking' is every woman in a meeting
- ·Essential workers who pay more taxes than Trump are tweeting their anger
- ·22 Unusual Things You Can Find in the Desert
- ·Apple unveils iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini with 5G support
- ·US Congress bill to prohibit Trump's preemptive strike of North Korea
- ·A fly landed on Mike Pence's head during the debate and it stayed there for 2 minutes
- ·Sports minister says audits into football, badminton federations set to conclude in Sept.
- ·S. Korea, US conduct 1st joint short
- ·Cut his mic, don't kill the debates: What Trump's terrible night taught us
- ·Carter wants to go to North Korea on peace mission
- ·How to unblock Xnxx for free
- ·'North Korea yet to perfect ICBM, but may do so soon'
- ·“粤”努力越“杏”运!广东援疆青年逐梦喀什
- ·农业农村部公示2019年中国美丽休闲乡村名单
- ·Yoon, US Senate's armed service committee chief discuss alliance, N.K. threats
- ·生活用水再利用 绿色生活方式受青睐
- ·10 best couples costumes for this very bizarre Halloween
- ·Nvidia DLSS: An Early Investigation
- ·Gastro Obscura's Guide to Where to Eat in Nashville
- ·FM nominee vows to push for Chinese leader's visit to S. Korea
- ·North Korea, US 'in direct contact,' says Tillerson
- ·Newly coined word “rini” demeans children: rights watchdog
- ·11 Places to See Tiny Trains
- ·生活用水再利用 绿色生活方式受青睐
- ·“新丰味”喜获中国首届县域品牌擂台赛十大营销创新品牌
- ·Twitter so shocked at a TV host doing her job, the clip went viral
- ·一市民对红灯“视而不见” 违反交规埋下安全隐患
- ·Slate News Quiz: World Cup, Nike, Donald Trump.
- ·10 Places to Get to Know Paul Bunyan
- ·S. Korea urges N. Korea to stop escalating tensions over Kim's pledge to bolster nuclear power
- ·畅行南澳环岛路,带你奔赴山和大海!
- ·10 best couples costumes for this very bizarre Halloween
- ·Webb telescope discovers 6 rogue worlds. They didn't form the way you'd expect.
- ·1 brain dead, 2 seriously injured in apartment fire in Busan