wraggster
September 23rd, 2011, 22:35
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/09/mico-modu-patent-0923-2011.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/microsoft-patents-modular-windows-phone-with-swappable-batteries/)
We've seen slider phones with speakers (http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/htc-surround-review/), gamepads (http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/sony-ericsson-xperia-play-review/), and of course, the standard keypad (http://www.engadget.com/tag/qwerty+slider/) -- but what if you want to swap out your slider accessory for something new? A new patent from Microsoft is exploring the possibility, showing off a concept smartphone with a sliding modular bay. Tired of that keyboard? Replace it with a gamepad, or a life-giving battery pack. According to the patent claims, some of the modular components would even function wirelessly, citing a touchscreen module which doubles as a wireless handset or a media remote. Neat? You bet, but we wouldn't get our hopes up -- Microsoft typically keeps out of the handset manufacturing game, and the last modular phone (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/modu-closing-up-shop-in-february/) to pique our interest didn't exactly make a splash.
We've seen slider phones with speakers (http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/htc-surround-review/), gamepads (http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/sony-ericsson-xperia-play-review/), and of course, the standard keypad (http://www.engadget.com/tag/qwerty+slider/) -- but what if you want to swap out your slider accessory for something new? A new patent from Microsoft is exploring the possibility, showing off a concept smartphone with a sliding modular bay. Tired of that keyboard? Replace it with a gamepad, or a life-giving battery pack. According to the patent claims, some of the modular components would even function wirelessly, citing a touchscreen module which doubles as a wireless handset or a media remote. Neat? You bet, but we wouldn't get our hopes up -- Microsoft typically keeps out of the handset manufacturing game, and the last modular phone (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/modu-closing-up-shop-in-february/) to pique our interest didn't exactly make a splash.