Design Sojourn

Image collage from Modu

Recently we covered Bug Lab’s modular mobile phone, where it was essentially a CPU “brain” that you can attach modules that you would purchased as you require it. Modu’s modular mobile phones takes this same concept but looks at it from another point of view. They start with a fully functional “brain” unit, and you then buy sleeves or what Modu calls “Jackets” which you slide the modular phone brain into it.

These “Jackets” allow frequent changes when ever you need it, and no doubt will be styled and sold as fashion accessories. Therefore with a flick of your wrist, you can have increased and customised functionality based on your requirements. These “Mated” devices could be digital content players, digital cameras, gaming consoles, business machines, Teen chat boxes and even desktop radios probably with News or Blog RSS feeds.

Honestly I am undecided on which strategy and approach is better, though I am leaning towards Bug Lab’s approach. The Bug Lab’s product strategy is more on a Lego building block level which is more efficient but could be slightly more technical and difficult to use. On the other hand, Modu’s feels higher up the food chain and is more like a Hub that can jump in-between products. My guess is Modu would be easier to use, though the product cost would be significantly higher (eg. doubling up of displays on both the “Brain” and “Jacket”). Regardless it looks pretty promising, even though the Modu seems to be in the concept phase. I look forward to the product launch, which is expected to be in Q4 2008.

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