Phonebloks

Dave Hakkens has previously introduced many modular phone concepts, but his creation of Phonebloks has taken innovation to a whole new level. Phonebloks is more durable as compared to its competitors in the market. The elements that this device comprises of include battery, screen, camera etc. which are conveniently removable from the device. Moreover, this phone is entirely upgradable and is made from Lego-like modules which snap together. 

This best plus point about this device is that it is customizable. Photographers can feasibly upgrade the device by incorporating a better camera to it and also by sacrificing some adequate amount of storage space. This phone is personalized by the addition of the third party components that are “Bloks” to it. These Bloks can be substituted with new Bloks in case of any breakage. Users can easily find them from BlokStore, which is an app store specifically designed for Bloks. On the store, users can purchase new Bloks for their device or purchase used ones. 

In 2013, an announcement was made in which Phonebloks and Google/Motorola declared about their willingness to come up with a modular smartphone. They also declared that Phonebloks website would become a platform for all enthusiasts from across the globe to share their perspective over the possible improvisations that can be made in Project Ara by Google’s ATAP team. The launch date of its modular phone is scheduled in January 2015. Although there are ample of challenges being confronted by this concept, consumption of large amount of money tops the list. To make this phone a strong competitor, great amount of money is required. Not many manufacturers are expected to participate in the making of these Bloks due to which there would be a limited selection of Phonebloks available. 

Besides the economic issues, there are many technical barriers erupting in the creation of this device as well. Since the Bloks are removable, the signals simultaneously are also expected to travel far within the confines of the components. Besides the connection used would also require the insertion of expensive pins along with the sockets. In the end, the final version of the Phonebloks would be very thick as compared to the average smartphone these days. This device also comes with the risk of Bloks getting dislocated from the mainboard. Many critics have also assumed that the replacement of Bloks frequently would escalate the e-waste output.

Tech Wonders!

We live in a world full of brilliant minds. These brilliant minds are always challenging themselves, always wanting to imagine more, get more, always pushing themselves to the extreme. These minds are the reason we get access to new and advanced technologies every now and then. We cannot deny the fact that the world is continuously evolving and advancing rapidly. The world as we know it, now revolves around technology where you have computers, smart phones and the limitless internet.

Let’s talk about how this world is growing and evolving. You know those Android smart phones everyone carries around and are so proud of? Yeah, the ones that keep you connected to everyone on the internet and also let you stream funny cat videos on YouTube. Well, guess what? They are now introducing smart watches for you. It’s voice activated and it’s always ‘on’. This means that anytime you say ‘ok Google’ or ‘hello Google’, it will respond. I won’t be surprised if in a few years I see people talking to their watches all the time. Oh and they’re also water and dust resistant. I’d like to see you try talking to your watch under water.

Another advancement in technology that I thought can prove to be useful in the future is the ‘WiFi for power’. It’s a way to charge your devices using WiFi or in other words, charging your devices without using wires and chords. Isn’t that awesome? Yes, it is. Well, I for one hate it when I’m on a Zombie killing spree on my smart phone and the words ‘low battery’ keep blinking on the screen every 15 seconds. I would love to have a wireless device that lets me sit however I want without worrying about disconnecting the charger. Also I’m pretty sure I’ll stop forgetting my phone everywhere because it was charging. I’ll just have it in my pocket when its charging. Chun Rim, professor of Nuclear & Quantum Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has made this a possibility and hopefully, he will also think of a way of making it cheap and affordable.

With the new technology, there is another problem that is arising. Our devices are continuously becoming smaller and smaller and with the smaller screens, it is becoming difficult for users to interact with the devices effectively and efficiently. Well, not to worry. We will soon be enjoying the biggest screens possible! A new technology can generate images directly on to our retina. This doesn’t limit the size of the visual according to the screen and at the same time avoiding the need for weighty hardware.

These are a few new developments in technology that are already here and just need a few touch ups. Soon these will be available to all of us.