Google’s ongoing project to build a completely modular smartphone sounds like the stuff ofscience fiction, but there’s some pretty sound reasoning behind the concept. Like the ability to save money when buying new bits, and saving the planet because you’re not throwing old phones away.
The concept seems to be catching on – PC accessory maker Razer is working on making a modular gaming PC you can upgrade on subscription, dubbed Project Christine. But just imagine if other gadgets around the home
were modular too. You’d be able to upgrade the specs on devices when it gets to payday, you could switch to new colours or fancier designs, and each time you make a change it’d be a lot cheaper than buying a whole new gadget.
were modular too. You’d be able to upgrade the specs on devices when it gets to payday, you could switch to new colours or fancier designs, and each time you make a change it’d be a lot cheaper than buying a whole new gadget.
The first truly upgradeable TV anyone? The tablet you never, ever need to replace? The ever-growing fridge? Here’s the must have incremental tech we want in our homes:
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The infinitely improving TV
TVs are often one of the most expensive gadgets we’ll buy for the house, and we keep them for years, through many phone upgrades – which makes it all the more infuriating when you’ve just unpacked it, stuck it nicely in the corner and then realised next year’s model has just been released, with yet more bells and whistles!
That wouldn’t be an issue with the modular TV though – add a bigger screen at a fraction of the cost, upgrade those ratty old speakers by clipping on something that can shake the neighbourhood, or switch to a new coloured bezel for pennies, giving your TV a new look without having to splash out thousands. This sounds far fetched, but we’re very nearly there, with software updates delivered over the web. And, unlike a phone, it wouldn’t even matter if the design was more bulky than standard – not if you could give your TV a few extra inches in time for the football season.
The new super high res tablet!
Granted, your tablet may look pretty crisp right now, but in two years we’ll have even more pixels squeezed into the same space: it’d be great if you could upgrade the screen to something more 2016 without having to shove your old model in the drawer. Screens are just one area where tablets are getting better though, and we’d love to be able to swap out the processor, memory and storage for new, cooler modules, along with better camera modules (just like Google’s Modular phone). If Asus can fit a phone inside a tablet, we don’t see any reason why this couldn’t be done.
for new, cooler modules, along with better camera modules (just like Google’s Modular phone). If Asus can fit a phone inside a tablet, we don’t see any reason why this couldn’t be done.
The ever-growing fridge
Why restrict yourself to exciting modular gadgets like phones, TVs and tablets, when you could also save money and shake up things in the kitchen? How about a fridge that could increase in size along with your household? Once your girlfriend moves in simply add on the new healthy module, increasing the size of your fridge by 30 litres – for all the salad you’ll be eating now, of course. Moving in with your mates? Check out the new beer module, adding additional holders for beer cans, crates or bottles. We’ll drink to that!
? How about a fridge that could increase in size along with your household? Once your girlfriend moves in simply add on the new healthy module, increasing the size of your fridge by 30 litres – for all the salad you’ll be eating now, of course. Moving in with your mates? Check out the new beer module, adding additional holders for beer cans, crates or bottles. We’ll drink to that!
One BIG round of toast
There’s nothing more infuriating than trying to make toast for yourself and friends, and running out of slots for the bread. The new modular toaster means that’s an issue of the past, as you’d be able to add on new toasting modules whenever you want. Each module could let you toast another two slices, with connectors to add another module to the side. Things could get a little silly by the time you’ve added five or six modules though – sure, you’ll be able to toast 12 slices simultaneously, but it’ll be one strange looking toaster!
Don’t forget the kitchen sink…
We’re seeing a lot more smart, connected devices these days too, so it makes sense ifeverything in the home could be modular! How about easily being able to unplug taps for new, smart taps that can turn themselves off if you forget? No need to call a plumber when anything goes wrong; a simple modular design could make changing parts of the sink as simple as changing the battery in a smartphone (granted, not the iPhone..).
these days too, so it makes sense ifeverything in the home could be modular! How about easily being able to unplug taps for new, smart taps that can turn themselves off if you forget? No need to call a plumber when anything goes wrong; a simple modular design could make changing parts of the sink as simple as changing the battery in a smartphone (granted, not the iPhone..).
What modular gadgets would you love to see? Leave a comment and let us know.
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