Phonebloks: The Building Blocks of a Smartphone

As I’ve mentioned in my previous blogs, I don’t ever leave home without my cell phone; it is at all times within arm’s reach.  Admittedly, I sometimes go 20 minutes at a time without setting it down.  It’s as if the person I’m texting might stop breathing if I don’t respond.  A little exaggerated, but that’s how my generation is.  We are extremely impatient.  We also need to know what is going on at all times to feel connected with the world – even though we lack a true compassion and genuine care as to what is really going on.   Regardless, we like to feel as though we care (some of us still do so don’t lose faith in humanity).

Speaking of genuine care and concern, one of the focuses of our generation is “going green”.  I use that term loosely because I could argue the topic for days.  But whatever your viewpoint on the subject, you cannot deny that the massive landfills are no good for the environment.

I recently found an article on Business Insider called “This Plan To End Smartphone Obsolescence With Lego-Like Block Components Is Mindboggling”.  The article talks about Dave Hakkens’ concept for a new smartphone.  His idea is built around the fact that too often cell phones end up in a landfill simply because a single component needs to be fixed.  Rather than fixing it, we toss it and get a new one.  Every day we throw away millions of electronic devices because they get old and worn out and this is why electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams.

Well what if there was a device that had Lego-like blocks that you can interchange when you please enabling you to build a custom phone from prefabricated parts?   It would be the ultimate customizable phone.  If you’re a self-proclaimed photographer like me you can update the camera.  Or if something breaks you can easily replace it with a new one.

This future-forward thinking is what keeps our economy moving.  Keep in mind this is still an idea, not a product, but if Dave Hakkens can get this on the market I think it will be a huge success.  With a strong focus on advertising and marketing, this could very well be the next Iphone.  Would you buy one?  Keep an eye out you social animals.

Jaclyn Bickerton, Social Media, Raven5 Ltd, Oakville & Toronto Ontario, Sept 2013