4 ms·

> given how a large segment of consumers (although clearly not all) are interested in piece-meal upgrades to everything else in their lives - computers, stereos

by Steko 10y ago

> given how a large segment of consumers (although clearly not all) are interested in piece-meal upgrades to everything else in their lives - computers, stereos, cars, Two things: first I'd question how popular modularity really is in those categories -- do most people buy modular stereo's today or just bluetooth speakers for their phones (or just headphones for their phones)? Consoles and laptops with glued in components seem pretty popular too. And while people update certain things about their cars are that many people really messing around with the embedded electronics that run their Camry? This leads to the second point: smartphones are already modular in a sense, just at a different level. There are a zillion cases you can buy, third party chargers, battery packs, camera lenses, a whole array of bluetooth widgets and of course all those apps and cloud services.

mindcrime 10y ago
And while people update certain things about their cars are that many people really messing around with the embedded electronics that run their Camry? Well, I doubt the majority of people do that. But there's definitely a real market for after-market mods of that nature. But I don't know that anybody markets a car specifically on the basis of its "tinkerability". Historically cars were fairly open to modding by default. It's only been recently, with DMCA shit, etc. that cars have really started getting locked down. This leads to the second point: smartphones are already modular in a sense, just at a different level. There are a zillion cases you can buy, third party chargers, battery packs, camera lenses, a whole array of bluetooth widgets and of course all those apps and cloud services. Fair enough. That may actually be the more salient point. I guess my thinking is this: a "modular" phone probably wouldn't ever be the "iPhone killer", but if it's done right, I would expect there would be enough people who would want it, to make it a profitable niche item. At least, that would be my naive assessment. Obviously phones are a complicated market due to carrier subsidies and exclusive offers, etc., etc.

by Steko 10y ago

mindcrime 10y ago

And while people update certain things about their cars are that many people really messing around with the embedded electronics that run their Camry? Well, I doubt the majority of people do that. But there's definitely a real market for after-market mods of that nature. But I don't know that anybody markets a car specifically on the basis of its "tinkerability". Historically cars were fairly open to modding by default. It's only been recently, with DMCA shit, etc. that cars have really started getting locked down. This leads to the second point: smartphones are already modular in a sense, just at a different level. There are a zillion cases you can buy, third party chargers, battery packs, camera lenses, a whole array of bluetooth widgets and of course all those apps and cloud services. Fair enough. That may actually be the more salient point. I guess my thinking is this: a "modular" phone probably wouldn't ever be the "iPhone killer", but if it's done right, I would expect there would be enough people who would want it, to make it a profitable niche item. At least, that would be my naive assessment. Obviously phones are a complicated market due to carrier subsidies and exclusive offers, etc., etc.