Short Bytes:Facebook has published a patent that details a “modular electromagnetic device” including hardware components that are mostly found in smartphones. It might be possible that the device described in the patent would be a modular smartphone or maybe some other hardware.
Business Insider has reportedthat Facebook is working on a “modular electromagnetic device” that could probably turn out to be a modular smartphone or a Bluetooth speaker. According to apatentrecently published by the company, the modular electromagnetic device could include a microphone, touch display, GPS, speaker, and the functionality of a cellular phone.
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We can think of a modular device like a puzzle, where each piece is equipped with some functionality. And all we need to do is connect those piece to the main chassis and get the hardware working.
With their modular electromagnetic device, Facebook also wants to solve the problem of consumer electronics becoming “expensive and wasteful”. On an average, a smartphone gets outdated within a year or two.
If you’re able to remember, Google’s ATAP division also worked on a modular smartphone that couldn’t see the day light. Ultimately, the plans werescrapped off. But there is something familiar and a surprising connection between the two projects.
Some important people from Google’s Project Ara team are now working with Building 8. Also, DARPA’s former director Regina Dugan, who leads Building 8, earlier headed Google’s ATAP group which working on Project Ara andProject Tango.
However, the patent application details the name of four employees who came to Facebook last year after the company bought a startup called Nascent Objects. The start-up prototyped modular gadgets using 3D printers.
You can read the patent usingthis link.
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