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Comment by beambot | Hacker News Reader

There are too many tangible benefits to close integration between CPU, screen, battery, and antennas -- the latter of which is probably the most difficult to modularize.

A much better tactic would've been 1-2 expansion ports for specialized hardware modules -- everything from credit card readers (a la Square), medical sensors, portable oscilloscope, etc. A standardized peripheral interface for hardware expansion slots across all phone variants could've really enabled a whole bunch of new applications (and industries). I'm sad to see it abandoned entirely.

(I wonder if there weren't some strong personalities that kept the "100% modular or bust" mentality?)

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Motorola did exactly what you're asking for. It's called Moto Mods and if it isn't abandoned as a failure within 3 years I'll eat my hat. https://www.motorola.com/us/moto-mods

Yes, this is the rough idea, except that it was "designed exclusively for the moto Z". The fact that one proprietary mod standard didn't take off is hardly strong evidence against the general idea, and especially the viability of an open standard.

You mean, like, USB OTG that basically every smartphone has?

You are mistaking a few conductors for a well-designed peripheral. The surrounding mechanics and size matters a lot for mass-market peripherals... especially if the aim is to seamlessly integrate them (semi-permanently) into any phone. This means things like size, volume, nearby mechanical connections, robustness, and industrial design. With OTG, you'd be plugging and unplugging all the time (every time the devices goes into your pocket) -or- building "cases" one a phone-by-phone basis. That's not a standard peripheral... that's a hack with a dongle.

An Ara-esque expansion slot could've created a real standard.

USB-C is the correct technical solution.

A modest cable leading to the peripheral in question is likely an acceptable form factor, and far more robust than trying to make one standard for a thing to bolt on to.

GP post is correct, it is USB-OTG. USB-C is the connector and has nothing to do with how the port acts. You can have USB-OTG with MicroUSB.

If only commercial adoption was driven entirely by "technical solutions"... (It isn't. Form, design, and UX matter a lot. Dongled peripherals suck.)

like LG G5 magic slot ? http://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/g5#G5Modularity

but it seems LG has reliability with it http://www.alphr.com/lg/1002753/lg-g5-review-2016s-cleverest...

That slot is little more than a proprietary USB connector, the only access LG Friends have to the phone is the USB bus and the battery power rails.

You're right about the tight integration, but Ara could have ushered in better integration with offboard modules as well. And it would be fun for the things you don't want as features all the time. As an example I would have loved an Ara phone with a removable Tango module.

Like the Other Half on the Jolla?

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