SadBrontosaurus
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The Problem
A phone only lasts a couple of years before it breaks or becomes obsolete. Although it's often just one part which killed it, we throw everything away since it's almost impossible to repair or upgrade.
The Solution
How about a phone that lets you swap out just one piece at a time? Replace your broken screen or upgrade your 1GB of RAM to 2 or 4GB.
Designed to Last
Phonebloks is made of detachable bloks. The bloks are connected to the base which locks everything together into a solid phone. If a blok breaks you can easily replace it, if it's getting old just upgrade.
Blokstore
It's like an app store for hardware. In the store you buy your bloks, read reviews and sell old bloks. Small and big companies develop and sell their bloks. you can buy a pre-assembled phone or assemble it yourself by selecting the brands you want to support. Bloks can be developed for specific needs. Solar powered batteries, sensitive screen for blind people, lightweight for travelers etc. The choice is yours.
Customize your phone the way you want it.
You don't need 16GB of storage. Replace your storage blok with an extended life battery.
Grandma doesn't need Bluetooth or a gyroscope
Give her a bigger speaker and a better battery. Replace her touch screen with one that has mechanical buttons.
Instead of tearing apart your old DVD player...
Just swap out for a better camera. Choose the brand you like, prefer the sharp nikon, the fast canon or support a small start-up, the choice is yours.
Help make Phonebloks a reality!
http://www.phonebloks.com/
https://www.thunderclap.it/en/projects/2931-phonebloks
bigbrother
Most of those bits need a shitload more pins than what's there. Can't even simplify the signals through fewer pins.
DontTellMeYouCant
So it's a bulky, impractical, and ugly design concept. It's a nice idea, but the idea and the reality are miles apart.
SteevyT
Yeah, no, electronic signals don't work like that.
serenityfast
A great idea that is impossible to make. Connectors don't have anywhere near enough pins and this phone would be MASSIVE. Like 2x the size.
iregisteredmyfreakingbrainsout
you live in a fantasy world
JustWantsToHelp
I am very doubtful about this. Same hardware interface for power and memory? lets just go and insert our SSD's into our mobo 24pin power
JaxAndHisLampPost
As a computer engineer, if you transmit Ghz speeds over those frictionless input pins, your gonna have a bad time.
am0k
Didn't we already debunk this? It is like saying a hoverboard is a great idea. Of course it is, but it just isn't ready to be made.
chipstar
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
accujimmy
it would be a disaster for app developers. Droid devs already fight with like 4 flavors of melonberry crunch or whatever it's called.
aphocus
You just need to get everyone together too form a standard interface and stick to it (in your dreams).
kranchan
And yet PC land gets along just fine.
accujimmy
Mobile devices are a different beast. A standard platform makes software creation far easier.
dubhgradh
LEGO!
MrBurd
So sockets need to be able to handle 101 different types of modules AND provide the correct voltage? Nope.
FerretBomb
This is what happens when you let a marketing zombie spitball hardware. They have NO CLUE just how integrated modern electronics have to be.
Jambless
Just download more ram. duhh
deediegraphitii
You don't understand how companies make money, do you?
jgempire
This is actually really cool. But I have to be honest, the big selling point for me is that it looks like an old school Nintendo.
espressoandpostrock
Why do you think people buy Apple products?
fjaosdifu
Welcome back to Engineering with Photoshop. Up next: extension cords wrapped up in your walls.
SadBrontosaurus
Day after day we see technology evolve.This doesn't seem like much of a stretch from our current technology. I'm optimistic!
maphistopfeelies
As an ecologist/software developer, I really think the solution here is better recycling/buyback programs.
abortedbabyjesus
Look at how long computers have been around, you still cant swap around parts as you like, one component evolving is usually dependent (1/2
abortedbabyjesus
) on another, making everything modular like this would cripple development and set everything back
mibango
imho this is an idea only someone at design & marketing can get. "speed" proves they have 0 idea of how things work.
Chewyy
more like naive
everyoneiskungfufighting
OK, but this would be "devolving". Making tech harder instead of simpler and more convenient. Also, not new.
ArdentSlacker
Top two issues with phone development are "making it fit" and "heat". This wastes a lot of space, and locks you in arbitrary dimensions.
DoubleSixes
you should take some engineering classes.
faiora
It would be difficult to make it aesthetically pleasing, and in a reasonable size range. I personally would not buy the phone pictured.
maphistopfeelies
I have to agree, unfortunately. I like modular device concepts but they are hard to make work.
bregma
Most phones are a screen, a battery, a SoC (silicon chip), and a plastic bezel with an embedded antenna. You could reduce it to 3 parts.
maphistopfeelies
This is a great point too. Most of the pieces shown here are on one chip. And by 'one chip' I mean 'one brand of chip' (Broadcom)
aphocus
I think the wifi/bluetooth is generally another chip, and any decent amount of RAM is also another chip. but in essence you're correct.
temotodochi
You can fit a fully functional GSM phone (minus the keyboard or screen) into a 1x1 inch chip with a battery included.
mynewestusername
Cool idea, but it would be heavier, larger, more expensive, more susceptible to the elements, and a massive pain to code for.
Willum
Larger isnt really a problem, anymore. Less expensive in the long run, since it will have more functional life. Elements issue = case.
Crowbahr
Not to mention more likely to break. Which seems to be counter intuitive.
MaroonBunyip
If only there could be some sort of protective covering perhaps... Maybe someone should make something like a case? Does that exist yet?
Crowbahr
I'm not talking just the dirt getting in between the pieces issue, I'm talking about modular systems in general. They don't last as long.
catnzhat
Not really, would mostly likely run Android or ubuntu phone (on top of android), size wise maybe, price wise no. Look at building a PC e.g.
mynewestusername
Unless many phones adopted that hardware, prices would be high. As for coding, drivers would be a pain, and apps couldn't target the phone.
catnzhat
it would be standard ARM architecture, drivers would be written by hardware manufacturers iphone/android fragmentation would be just as bad
aphocus
I think you misunderstand the driver problem, its getting them to work after installing new hardware, the majority of a modern OS is drivers
catnzhat
I never have issues with drivers for modern OSs
Jotcop
Would be the same as installing new drivers on a PC.
petpet3d
I am an electrical engineer, and this is the most unfeasible idea I've ever seen.
frenzyguy
I love people that start their sentences with '' I am an ''***'' engineer and....blablabla full of bullshit know nothing still engineer FU.
JaxAndHisLampPost
You lose...also us engineers take pride in our degrees because 1. They are difficult, and 2. They are valuable.
SteevyT
And 3. They are fucking difficult.
TyrannosaursInF14s
I'm a biologist and this is the most useless reply in the entire comment section.
MmeStraka
10 months later and Project Ara says otherwise.
varsil
How to make it happen: Step 1: Invent magic. Step 2: Why the fuck do we need phones any more now that we have magic?
nigerianplease
I believe it's Step 1: let Google do it, Step 2: profit (not money of course, that's Google's job)
mareridt
Best. Comment. Ever.
thethirdeye
You win the Internets!
inetknght
Look at data interfaces and their sizes. The normal user could end up damaging them like that, just like CPU and sockets of old.
IDkIDFC
If the grid thingie runs on a smart interface were some subchip determine's what all the parts are reguarless of where they are, would work
khora
That's not happening free of charge (cost or battery). I feel this is the part that will age the fastest as well.
vabla
The board itself would likely have to be bigger than a normal smartphone. And just as unrepairable and unupgradable. Same price too.
Amped5
Marketing, this is why engineering makes fun of you.
craftisto
There are 2 types of engineers: Some laugh at new ideas and some say "let's figure it out". The system is the brief not the solution.
DontTellMeYouCant
Basically this.
blkbox
Just commenting so I can keep this... this is exactly what I think about those perfect concepts.
vabla
But this will work! You just have to compromise on the "smart" part of smartphone. And probably the "phone" part too.
DoubleSixes
You need more upvotes.
stuntmantan
people have said the same thing about science fiction for decades. dreamers exist to give engineers stuff to invent.
sassyasssassafras
yes!
abortedbabyjesus
Dreamers who seem to have almost no understanding of electronics
jerseytom
Eh. I feel like sometimes the wilder long-term stuff (which is EXPECTED to be long term) is more feasible than stuff like this, expected NOW
kuriakos
I gotta get me some more "Speed"
nicoplated
Fucking speed, how does it work?
banquuuooo
i was minorly insulted about how they dumbed that down
klown98
you can download more RAM from the internet
SteevyT
http://downloadmoreram.com/
theopposite
I feel the need. THE NEED FOR SPEED.
TheyCallMeTheHiphopopotamusIgotFlowsThatGlowLikePhosphorous
Heh. CPU is probably the word they were looking for.
harel55
I think it's supposed to be aggregate CPU, GPU, RAM, etc.
AThreeFootTallChocolateMooseWithFudgeEyes
this phone will not be made ever. it's too good compared to other phones
thatlittlegreencircle
Thirty speed?
kuriakos
Wow, you replied to a 2 year old comment!
thatlittlegreencircle
Oops.
hallowedmeow
Yeah I thought that was hilarious.
intooblv
I know a guy who can sell you an eight-ball.
SpaceOrphan
Do we really need eight balls?
JenniferAniston
I do think this is an awesome idea in theory, but realistically I think the probability of this succeeding is like -82%
[deleted]
[deleted]
JenniferAniston
-12% then, still going to be an uphill battle
iamthisguy247
connorfads4
When an idea is first conceived, that concept often has flaws that are quickly noticed once you start down the path. Let them start.
AngryHumanoid
What a coincidence, I was JUST looking at your nipples! Small world, am I right? So... what are you wearing?
Luvvie
I agree with you. There's no way a company would pick this up... There's no money to be made from it, unless the parts are stupid expensive.
secretlyacat
Yeah I was just thinking this. I would imagine it would cost the company money and that they'd much prefer you have to buy a new one.
Makinbrosmadonimgurandnotgivingafuck
I'm still staring at your tits
JenniferAniston
I'll allow it
hellomynameiscthulhu
It already exists, but don't expect an iphone killer: http://www.instructables.com/id/ArduinoPhone/
frenzyguy
yes but this looks like shit compared to the phoneblok
MyLifeisaComplicatedDrinkingGame
It favors the consumer and negates planned obsolescence. We'll see lifetime charged AAA batteries before this, unfortunately.
LOLialmostgotsuedbyJKRowling
Oh how it is fun to have a username that is the name of a celebrity... I too, once knew this feeling... Then...it happened...
JenniferAniston
not sure if sarcasm...
LOLialmostgotsuedbyJKRowling
I used to have the username "JKRowling". Now look at mine.
sassywhiteman
i dont believe you. What do you even know about technology, Jennifer?
JenniferAniston
Someone better get this mother fuckin aniston off this mother fuckin website
gourami
I'll have you know she had a guide for Windows 95. http://imgur.com/0zRLfpn?tags
ibextrainer
Rachel, her name is rachel!
soukmania
They were on a breeeeeak!
SynicalPotato
I understood this reference.
cousteau
This idea is mostly the opposite of what every company does. Ever heard of "planned obsolescence"?
Dispari
Yeah I don't think it would work. Companies love the fact that you have to buy a whole new phone. Why would they mess with a good thing?
AvatarofPi
It will happen if a new business is built around this, and the phone companies have to compete with it.
MrTrials
probably the only thing not in favour of this awesome idea. so. effing. sad.
Melsy
Look at Southwest Airlines - they messed with "a good thing," did a bunch of stuff differently, and now they're a top airline.
Goku2012
Not only that, but comoanies like Apple love making proprietary parts so that you HAVE to buy their shit.
CockShittington
I support your estimationing prowess.
RougemageNick
And the reason is more about looks then functionality
NotAmused1001
Oh Jennifer, it's a good thing you're pretty...
JenniferAniston
apparently not pretty enough for brad :( hold me imgur
NotAmused1001
Maybe Angelina just puts out more?
stlnstln
YOU'RE MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH FOR US, JENNIFER
JenniferAniston
you get a friends complete series dvd box set
stlnstln
Aaaaahhhhh I knew you were my favorite for a reason!!!!
Koantum
This would never happen. Initial cost would be too high and parts would have a huge premium and still all need regular replacement.
SteevyT
Also, electronics just don't work like this. You can't plug a battery in where a CPU used to be and expect it to work.
hornsofthebull
there are ways this could be handled. multilayer pcbs fixed points for certain modules. I've pondered on this for years.
SteevyT
How do you plan on cooling multilayer circuitry like this?
hornsofthebull
Two words: Ice cream. I guess my point is that the technical barriers could be met. the real challenge would be changing the OEMs approach.
SteevyT
Cooling is why our processors still reside on 2D wafers, Intel and AMD are both trying to figure out how to get 3D, but cooling is a bitch.
Nandabun
You know, it's funny.. and maybe I just don't understand it.. but current technology limitations exist, IMO, because we -put- them there. ->
SerialKitten666
It needs to be "prettied up" because consumers are whores and only want nice, shiny things...
AleQQ
Some of the blogs were gold, silver, shiny, etc
AleQQ
Bloks*. It should also have better autocorrect than iphone
ImSorryButIJustDontLikeYou
As a consumer I can confirm this.
SerialKitten666
yeah, I spoke from experience, lol
agreyworld
Because nice things are bad! Bad nice things! We must all have grey squares... WHORES
SerratedGooch
I kinda dig the look of it. I'm sure it will come in different colors
UndercoverDumbledore
Each block could have a selection of colours as decided by the designer so you could have matching or mix and match :)
SerratedGooch
Thats what i was picturing. With injection molding, its not hard to just shoot a different color plastic
Fierfly
Can we get an electrical engineer in here to explain how this is a really unfeasible idea? The middle board itself would have to be [1/2]
WardSharlow
A lot of this possible, but some things require a very wide data bus. Some peripherals work fine with 4 or 5 pins. Some need 32.
DontTellMeYouCant
As a software engineer, I'll point out that Android still has fragmentation issues with a finite set of hardware options. This has infinite.
strife212
What, like a PC?
Rumsfield
Not really. If the modules have only 4 pins, the data could be serialized. The middle board could have some FPGAs in it, which is (1/2)
Fierfly
huge just to incorporate the logic gates for dynamic block placement. This may be possible when nanotech is real and affordable.
Rumsfield
basically programmable hardware. I'm an EE and it doesn't seem that hard to make (2/2)
NotsorAnDomcAPs
FPGAs and high rate serial are very power-hungry and inefficient. Also, the connectors would need to support several GHz of bandwidth.
popeiler
4) SoCs in cell phones tend to integrate several blocks like audio input/output, and power management functions.
popeiler
7) Antenna positioning is critical. The antennas interact with each other in unusual ways.
popeiler
6) Trace lengths are very sensitive for things like RAM (they also require crazy pin counts.)
popeiler
3) Components such as power management systems would need to be replicated in each block raising cost and reducing efficiency.
popeiler
2) The connectors would be the dominant cost and failure point of the product. They require other means of mechanical support.
popeiler
1) The backplane would need to have 20+ layers and blind/burried vias. It would cost $5,000+ per unit.
Fierfly
Can you reprogram the FPGAs on the fly or have it done dynamically by the hardware? serious question, this is the first I've heard of FPGAs
Rumsfield
yeah, you can reconfigure FPGAs whenever you want to.
popeiler
5) It's common to do chip-on-chip packages where the ram attaches to the top of the CPU package.
JaxAndHisLampPost
You must be a shitty EE, because good luck sending a 3 ghz clock signal over those pins.
WardSharlow
Why would you have to do that? You're looking for ways to make things fail, which is a very anti-engineer mindset.
JaxAndHisLampPost
Actually it isn't. They are called constraints, and are major building blocks for what is engineering....
WardSharlow
No. Skills and technologies are building blocks. Constraints are obstacles. I'm glad you don't work on my team, because you say no too fast.
SteveMcSteversons
This is cute and all but we can't even get people to build their own PCs, this isn't going to work in this braindead society.
SerialKitten666
I think it's an awesome idea and the option should be made available, but to me it's ugly and wouldn't fit in my stupid girl pockets
billiebitkiller
Tons of people build their own PCs for this exact reason.
TypicalShmosby
Hey Negative Nancy. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you.....FUCK YOU
ThePaleTexan
I've built two computers and this looks much more simple. This looks as though you are just putting together Lego pieces.
kamehameahahahaha
people build their own computers all the time. i've built several for myself and friends.
SteveMcSteversons
Yes as have I, way to miss the point of what I said. People in general cannot complete even basic tasks.
kamehameahahahaha
this product wouldn't be for the general pop. who would want to customize their own shit though, is it? ppl also don't build their own cars
sopor
You mean like ours?
LongNamesAreStillCoolRight
It's not like a pc. It's easy and trendy, and highly customizable. The public should love it.
kitten1323
It would need an apple logo for some people to even consider it
SerratedGooch
This is like the complete polar opposite of Apple. Which i like. I really dislike Apple
goobernoodles
I would like to replace the battery on my iph... oh.
SerratedGooch
Lol. "I want more memory! better start deleting things!"
mayberyan
That's what I told my girlfriend when she showed me this. Nobody is going to get on board because it's not flashy or cool ect.
kranchan
I think it's cool.
Rnuomer
It's definitely trendy and neat and "wow cool," as evidenced by everyone on imgur getting on board with it (besides the people pointing out
Rnuomer
what's wrong with the idea)
SteveMcSteversons
That of course leaves out that companies like Apple would never go for this and find some way to shit it up.
kranchan
They could try but we've seen how well Android has done. 64% market share in smartphones.
billiebitkiller
It's the opposite of Apple's proprietary "everything is stuck and soon not obsolete just not the newest" business model.
BrettTheHitmanCart
As an Apple user, I agree. And +1 for "shit it up"
pinklebaboon
Pretty much any phone company wouldn't like this
enartloc
Can you guys stop it with this shit?This is utopia,if an electronics manufacturer did this,they would go out of business in under 2 years1/2
phiya
Not necessarily. It would be a niche phone for geeks most likely. Think of how often people buy new parts to "tune" a car. Could be +Rev.
HowLongCanTheseUsernamesBeWithoutBeingRidiculousILoveYou
No, because they would obviously charge you for the replacements. They wouldn't just throw them at you, would they?
enartloc
Google planned obsolescence,it will explain things better than i can do with 140 characters
enartloc
They would only sell the broken part,instead of selling an entire unit,you know how much that reduces revenues?This idea is great,but 1/2
enartloc
it's naive as fuck.Unless you change the whole monetary system,this will never be implemented 2/2
AustinITguy
It probably never will, but it's incredibly short sighted of the industry. This model could work and be profitable in a good economy.
TheThingNoNotThatOne
Actually, it's the opposite. In a good economy, people have more disposable income, so they'll scrap an entire phone over replace parts.
AustinITguy
Oh, and I'm aware that Wakanda is the only country on the planet with a good economy right now.
enartloc
Companies need products to eventually malfunction,so they can sell new ones.Take this example,there was a heavy machinery german 2/3
enartloc
manufacturer in the 70 who made so good machines,they almost never broke down,or could be easily fixed,you know what happened?It went bust
AustinITguy
If that had been my company I would have been sad to have to start over, but proud as fuck that my doors closed due to awesome.
HoliBug
Agreed. Planned Obsolescence - Corporate Profit. It's a shame, because i like the concept of this 'bloks' thing, too.
DroopyTheDawg
You know what's really utopian bullshit? The idea that without deliberately designing it in technology never becomes obsolete.
DroopyTheDawg
One decent marketing campaign about how awful planned obsolescence is for the consumer and appropriately more expensive products designed
DroopyTheDawg
for easy repair and modular upgrades, coupled with purchase on credit and long service agreements (think cars) become a viable business
Icantbelieveyoujustsaidthat
It's not that I don't believe you, but what was that company's name?
enartloc
can't remember actually,it was a big ass machine designed for SMD,i know the story from one of the few people in the world that could 1/2
enartloc
service it,he used to come to our factory every year,those machines we're impossible to break,everything was easily changeable 2/2
jdijdijdi
I fucking knew that's how it worked!!
TRexKilgannon
You sound like one of those really dumb YouTube commenters.
enartloc
You sound like one of those ignorant idiots,who has no idea how the real world works.
DanceComander
I think the person was referring to the asshol-ish way in which you presented your completely valid points.
TRexKilgannon
Way to be a complete jackass, miss my point, AND reinforce it. You win the hat trick.
Fierfly
What you fail to understand is that one company would have the monopoly on the removable blocks, thus perpetuating income on new parts.
enartloc
You fail to understand how easy it is for another company to copy your product w/o legal issues.Come on,internet intellectual,i worked 1/2
enartloc
at Schurter for 8 years,teach me electronic manufacturing,i challenge you. 2/2
mirrorz
I'm not sure that pin system would be sufficient considering the amount of wiring and circuitry in a modern ribbon cable. Nice concept.
KnuxTenma
If you look at the video, it looks like they have a prototype - quite possibly a working one. Besides, as cousteau pointed out, serial could
IVlad
why? your usb cable only has 4 wires, and 2 are for power, if those parts can operate though a usb cable, they can work though 4 pins.
CptTightPants
Isn't it very likely that at some point in the near future we will have technology capable of doing this feasibly?
vcelloho
The bandwidth on each of the pins would have to be over sized for most needs. A Processor needs more bandwidth than a volume rocker button.
captaincabbage
Wow, you guys must be great at parties.
eronth
I think it'd be theoretically sorta possible. I'd fucking LOVE to be an CpE hired for this project. It's intriguing. How to am be hired?
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
That's all this is, a concept. This is by no means anything like what it would probably look like. As in its not even at prototype.
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
There is tons of room for improvement, and it would be extremely easy to fit hundreds of small connections on a block.
kamisan
meh it's a nice idea but they're built how they are now specifically so people will pay for new phones
lostender
What really might be interesting, would be to see a new bus developed that could allow this sort of modularity in the small form factor.
dunkmastaflex
Everyone in this section of the thread should help these guys make this. Seriously. I love the idea.
MegaDeuce
Plot twist: Everything's wireless.
PascalCasedUserName
That is a fantastic idea (for most parts): use the board for power, pair using NFC, then communicate over bluetooth. (1/2)
PascalCasedUserName
Each part has it's own CPU/MCU, so you don't need a central one...
cousteau
Serialize ALL the things! Dunno, maybe USB 2.0 is fast enough; it only uses 4 wires; but I don't think so.
WardSharlow
Most of these things don't need huge data transfers. BT is relatively slow, and sensor periphs don't need to be polled that often.
WardSharlow
Cameras, on the other hand . . .
cousteau
Yeah, and maybe wifi. There are USB versions of both, but they're not quite fast.
danvolodar
I am pretty sure it's impossible to have a slot that you can plug a CPU, a RAM plank, a battery or a cam into and have it just work.
solfulsoul
isn't it always cheaper to make things disposable?
solfulsoul
i still dont' really understand what any of you are saying...
cbennett
Its cheaper for the company because if every model can easily be whiped off the assembly line, then sure its easy to replace a phone..(cont)
cbennett
..though the consumer still pays lots for a whole new phone. The issue is the amount of e-waste we are making, so maybe recycling..(cont)
cbennett
..'broken' phones would work as a better system opposed to throwing them out, and the engineering nightmare to design the one in the post.
ARainbowInTheDark
Nice thought if you don't want the planet to live for your children...
GrungirStoneheart
Find a way to make them biodegradable
robotgirlfriend
Disposable can also be recyclable!
SleepyMagoo
1. Cheaper for whom? 2. Cheaper in long/short/medium term?
kamisan
not for the consumer
IAmTheSquidward
Ribbon cables are extremely outdated. Most cables only use two pairs (four total) wires: pos/neg voltage, pos/neg data transfer.
WardSharlow
Molex just got bought the other day for almost 7 billion bucks by some guys who think FFC components are going to make them piles of cash.
PascalCasedUserName
have you taken apart a phone lately?
ColonelKlink
tell that to the sata cables, the ram sticks, the processors... all of them excluding the sata cables have more than 100 connections.
IAmTheSquidward
SATA cable pinout: http://www.moddiy.com/product_images/uploaded_images/hdsata2-engadget-howto.jpg
AnthonyPeterson
Two inputs and outputs each.
IAmTheSquidward
tbh I'm not sure why I commented that lol
ColonelKlink
speaking in terms of PCs. smart phones aren't any different however.
IAmTheSquidward
Like I said. Two pairs.
IAmTheSquidward
(2) or a WiFi upgrade, it'd be sufficient. CPU upgrades could involve getting a new backpanel and snapping your old components into it.
Veyrah
The wifi block would be as big as 1x1 on the blok grid. Let's say the cpu block is 6 times bigger, you have 6x4 pins.
IAmTheSquidward
(1) And also, RAM and Processors send terabytes of data instantaneously - that's why there's that many pins. For a simple BT module
danvolodar
You might notice the concept suggests CPU, RAM and battery blocks are to use the same plugs as the rest of the stuff.
rededison
Agreed. I'd love to see something like this, but all the different pins from dozens of buses that have to match? Modularity is unrealistic.
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
Who said it would be difficult to add dozens of connections? As for where they go, it's as simple as labelling them.
rededison
But the interfaces are still going to be fixed. The video pins are going to stay video pins even when you pull the screen off.
GAM3R187
Just curious since it has a central board between the screen and blocks could that not run the wiring ect. or is it unrealistic to fit it?
rededison
It could run the wiring, but that wiring would be fixed - the pins for the ram are going to still be ram pins when you pull the block away.
Loudona
TIL that there are a lot of electrical engineers on imgur
rededison
Hooray! There are lots of us, apparently.
universalhat
we might not all be electrical engineers, but we know how technology be. i'd still put my money towards developing a system like this.
danopia
Or just use serial, like every block was a USB dongle. The only issue is you need more bandwidth to drive the screen.
rededison
140 characters is not enough to really go into this, but suffice it to say that not all serial interfaces are the same. Bad for modularity.
danopia
USB did a good job of it. If you're making custom hardware for this, then go ahead and standardize/choose a serial interface too.
rededison
The overhead for USB makes it impractical for a lot of these interfaces, though. Every peripheral uses a different interface for a reason...
SteevyT
The CPU and GPU really need insane amounts of bandwidth to be useful.
danopia
The CPU and GPU would probably both be in the "Processing" block, in my design. And would be special-cased for screen bandwidth.
abortedbabyjesus
You would have to add the ram to that too, at which point your just taking this modular design and getting back to the monolithic design
yazwho
Serial buses really are quite fast, look at USB3. There's no reason this couldn't be possible...
yazwho
End of the day, its just like a PC but smaller.
SteevyT
USB3 really isn't that fast compared to things like a PCIe port.
rededison
Yeah, no. Each of those serial interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI) would still be incompatible with each other. The only way I think this could (1)
rededison
work would be if the 600+ SOC that was the processor of this monstrosity would need an ungodly amount of pinmuxing, to the point of being (2
rededison
unwieldly. Seriously. If you haven't ever looked at a cell phone SOC, stop saying that this should be easy. The different interfaces (3)