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The Moto Z2 Play looks very familiar
You probably picked up the Moto Z Play for its long battery life, mid-range price and compatibility with Motrola's flagship modular backs. If you were worried that those components wouldn't work on the next version of the handset, don't -- leaked images of the Moto Z2 Play from TechnoBuffalo suggest that the device will be almost visually identical to the original. Well, there is one notable change: the Moto Z Play's square button has been replaced with a round one.
Apple is sorry about the Mac Pro, vows to relaunch it in 2018
The last new Mac Pro was announced back in 2013, and not much has changed much since. The iconic shiny objet proved a difficult fit for its pro users, and as a consequence Apple is apparently fundamentally rethinking its top-end computer series and everything that comes with it. According to a roundtable the company held with reporters earlier this week, Phil Schiller, Apple's SVP of worldwide marketing added that since its new Pro will be a far more modular system, you can also expect a new Pro display to land alongside it. However, it told Buzzfeed that "You won't see any of these products this year." That's because Apple's engineering team is apparently still working to design a system that can easily and efficiently be upgraded -- the biggest issue many had with the current Mac Pro.
Bang & Olufsen's modular speakers double as wall art
There hasn't been a shortage of attempts at modular speakers, but how many of them would you be willing to place at the center of your living room decor? Not many, we'd wager. Bang & Olufsen, however, thinks it can do better. It's introducing a wall-mounted speaker system, BeoSound Shape, that's designed to be as artistic as it is functional. You can scale your system to the exact size and pattern you want, including color -- a range of fabric options lets you be as flamboyant or subdued as you like. You need at least six modules, but B&O is promising that you can have a "practically unlimited" number of them if it suits your fancy.
Alcatel made an affordable modular phone studded with LEDs
We learned at CES this year that it simply isn't enough for affordable phones to just offer low prices anymore. And Alcatel, which is perhaps one of the most well-known budget phone makers, has chosen a compelling means to differentiate itself in this space. The new Alcatel A5 is a sub-$300 Android device that has modular components in a style that's similar to Moto's Mods. Although we don't know the official price and availability of the A5 yet, Alcatel did say the new handset falls into its pre-existing midrange Pop family of devices, which typically cost between $150 and $200.
Moto Z Mod puts a walkie-talkie on your phone
Motorola has been encouraging enterprising hardware hackers to create Mods at contests around the globe for the Moto Z smartphone, though so far results have been somewhat limited. The latest Mod to make its way to an Indiegogo project is the Linc radio -- a nifty little walkie-talkie Mod that the creators say will let you stay in touch at a range of up to six miles without cell service.
AIAIAI suggests headphones based on one of your Spotify playlists
AIAIAI first announced its modular TMA-2 headphones back in 2015. With swappable parts, the system allows you to pick and choose which components will work best for your listening habit. However, with all the different configurations to choose from, the number of options can be a bit daunting. Don't fret: The company has a new tool to lend a hand and it's powered by your Spotify streaming habit.
AIAIAI's modular headphones go wireless with a swappable headband
AIAIAI debuted its modular TMA-2 headphones in 2015, a model that allows users to choose which parts they wanted and swap them out at any time. There was one thing missing: wireless. With all of the options the TMA-2 offered, it was lacking Bluetooth connectivity for listeners who wanted cut the cord. A year and a half after the modular kit arrived, there's now a wireless solution in the form of the H05 headband.
Moto Z Play review: Buy it for the battery life
You should've seen this one coming. Of course Motorola wasn't going to just release two versions of the Moto Z and call it a year. While the first two -- the Moto Z and Moto Z Force -- had to bear the weight of flagship expectations and justify the lack of a headphone jack, the Moto Z Play merely had to be inexpensive and not terrible. Well, mission accomplished ... mostly. At $449, the Z Play isn't the cheapest mid-range phone out there, but it clears the "not terrible" bar with more room than I imagined. All right, all right, there's no point in being coy. The Moto Z Play is actually pretty great.
Facebook snags modular gadget startup Nascent Objects
Google's Project Ara was highly anticipated by consumers excited to upgrade their modular devices over time, but that dream died when the tech giant pulled the plug on the endeavor three weeks ago. Seems like Facebook isn't done with mix-and-match gadgets: The social media titan just bought Nascent Objects, a Bay-area startup, to bring its modular electronics approach into its growing hardware R&D world.
Google officially ends its Project Ara modular phone initiative
Google has shut down its modular smartphone initiative, Project Ara, a spokesperson confirmed to VentureBeat today. This follows an earlier report from Reuters that claimed Google was finished with Project Ara. We've reached out to Google for confirmation and will update this article as the company responds.
LG's V20 smartphone may be as modular as the G5 (updated)
Just a few days ago, LG revealed that it will introduce its first Android Nougat phone in San Francisco on September 6th. The V20 is said to come with similar dual-screen, dual-selfie camera features as its predecessor, the V10. And now, thanks to OnLeaks and Android Authority, we're getting a first look at purported renders of the device. Most notably, the 5.7-inch V20 appears to have a modular design, based on a button placement reminiscent to that of LG's newly minted G5.
The Blocks modular smartwatch is finally (almost) ready
Years after the Blocks modular smartwatch first popped up on our radar, the company seems to finally be close to hitting assembly lines. The company has at least 5,500 orders from Kickstarter to fulfill, and if you'd like to add to that number you can pre-order the set for $330.
Engadget giveaway: Win a uniVERSE Case System courtesy of Otterbox!
If you're like me, your smartphone is always at your side and that means more chances for it to take a tumble. These smart devices also pack plenty of business tools, photo, video and audio capabilities, making them a virtual pocket-sized production studio. Case and accessory maker Otterbox believes it's found the ideal middle ground for keeping your phone protected and letting you expand its capabilities without compromising its shell. The Otterbox uniVERSE Case System includes a modular phone case with a connector for swapping in a range of accessories including tripods, lens attachments, memory card readers, battery packs and Bluetooth speakers. This week, the company has provided us with an iPhone 6/6s uniVERSE case, along with four of its add-on modules to help you get you started. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning. Winner: Congratulations to Christopher W. of Allen, TX!
New Moto X phones reportedly feature modular accessories (updated)
Rumor mountain is rumbling this week with news about the next phones under Motorola's Moto X brand, and VentureBeat today says that the new devices will be modular, allowing users to swap out backplates with various capabilities. Yesterday, HellomotoHK posted images of new Moto X phones that appeared to show one phone with a metallic body and laser auto-focusing features. VentureBeat reports that there are actually two new Moto X phones, the Vertex and Vector Thin, and they both feature customizable, modular bodies.
LG G5 will hit the US in early April, and it's bringing 'Friends'
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are getting rave reviews, but don't forget about the other, more ambitious Korean flagship barreling down the pipeline. Though it fell short of offering a firm release date, LG just confirmed that its modular G5 will hit the US in "early April." Yeah, not exactly a surprise, especially since LG Canada already confirmed our friends to the north will get the G5 on April 8.
PuzzlePhone wants you to fund its modular smartphone
If you're enamored with modular smartphones but aren't convinced that Project Ara will pan out, you can now pour your money into an alternative. PuzzlePhone has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get its namesake upgradable handset into your hands. Plunk down at least $333 and you'll get a complete Android phone divided into a Spine (the 5-inch LCD, frame and speakers), Brain (processor and camera) and Heart (battery and secondary tech), all of which you can replace without having to toss out the rest of the device.
Acer's Revo Build is the Project Ara of PCs
Acer has announced the Revo Build M1-601, a super-small Windows 10 unit that can be expanded and customized with a series of stackable blocks. So, in the base unit you'll find a super small form factor PC that only occupies 125 millimeters square on your table and comes with a low-power Intel Pentium or Celeron chip. Then, if you want to expand the machine's 32GB storage, you can plonk on a 500GB or 1TB external hard drive in a case that sits perfectly on top. Each block connects to the one below using magnetic coupling and pogo pins -- like a tower of single Duplo bricks -- and enables you to create a PC that grows in capability with each addition.
Project Ara delayed because its phones keep falling apart (update: apparently not)
Project Ara, the modular mobile phone from Google's Advanced Technologies and Projects (ATAP) group, has hit some delays, and now we're getting a hint as to what went wrong. The Project Ara team announced on Twitter that the the "electropermanent" magnets that held the different Ara modules together are not strong enough to keep the phone from surviving falls in a drop test. Unfortunately, there's no word on what it will be replaced with, outside of an enigmatic tweet about testing a "signature experience" for attaching and detaching modules.
Modular mobile phone Project Ara is delayed until 2016
The much-anticipated Google-backed modular phone from Project Ara was supposed to make its debut in Puerto Rico later this year. However, the device won't be coming until at least 2016, thanks to an unexpectedly long prototyping phase, and likely won't use the US protectorate as its initial test market, as a series of tweets from company on Monday reveal. The company is reportedly "looking at a few locations in the U.S." to debut the phone but is certain that it won't be happening by the end of the year.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: pod homes and electric highways
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. When we first saw the tiny off-grid Ecocapsule pod home, we thought it looked too good to be true -- but last week Nice Architects announced plans to produce the self-sustaining dwelling next year. The Ecocapsule harvests the sun, wind and rain, and it can be easily moved practically anywhere in the world (sort of like a super-futuristic Airstream). Speaking of portable housing, this past week M2C unveiled a series of modular POD tents that can be connected together to create camping communities, and we showcased eight buses that have been converted into amazing mobile homes. Meanwhile, a smartphone-controlled spaceship home landed in Spain, and a team of architects and engineers launched a crowdfunding campaign to build a real-life Lord of the Rings city in England.
