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Google to buy Modu patents, hopefully leave Nokia alone
It took complete failure to do it, but it looks like Modu founder Dov Moran finally found that new source of capital he went hunting for last November. In an effort to pay back creditors and unpaid wages, the firm's patent portfolio is slated to be snatched up by Google for roughly $4.8 million. What's Mountain View going to do with a mess of ultra-lite modular phone patents? It didn't come up, but we wouldn't be too surprised if it had something to do with its Danger-powered hardware wing and Android Open Accessory. Putting Modu to rest hasn't phased 'ol Dov, though; Israeli news source Calcalist reports that he's already invested three million smackers in a mysterious new start up -- about which Moran remains tight lipped. Goodnight, Modu; we'll always remember you as the audacious underdog who had the brass to tell Nokia to say their prayers.
Modu closing up shop in February
Looks like the bad news just got worse for Modu fans. According to reports from Israel, Modu, maker of impossibly small modular handsets, will be forced to close its doors in February as it attempts to payback debt and the salaries owed to its workers. Ironically, the news will likely spark an increase in demand as nerds battle to curate an elusive Modu W for their vintage gadget collections.
What financial trouble? Modu T goes on sale in UK
Modu might be on life support, but that doesn't mean that its latest effort -- the touch-enabled Modu T -- isn't seeing the light of day. British retailer PurelyGadgets (which also launched the original Modu earlier this year) has just announced that it has the new model in stock, charging £149.99 (about $238) for a 2.2-inch resistive QVGA touchscreen, tiny 500mAh battery, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, and microSD expansion to 32GB all running on Qualcomm Brew underpinnings. Pricey for what you're getting? Perhaps, but keep in mind this is the phone that Guinness has certified as the lightest touch-capable phone in the world, which is certainly a conversation point when you pull it out among friends. Looks like there are only 16 in stock at the moment -- and it's anyone's guess how long this supply chain is going to hold up -- so if you want one, we'd probably suggest you act fast.
Modu barely alive after failed bid for capital, laying off most of its employees
Modu hasn't really stormed the market with any of its miniature offerings just yet, and even with the just-announced Modu T and the upcoming Android-based Modu W offering a chance to turn things around, it looks like Modu is up against the financial ropes. Founder Dov Moran just announced that the company had failed to raise money in Tel Aviv, and he's going to have to lay off most of his workforce to stay alive. Modu currently employs around 30 people, and it's naturally going to have trouble building and selling phones with any fewer, but Dov says the company will "continue to sell its products" and he's going to be on the hunt for "other sources of capital."
Modu reveals the T, a tiny modular Brewphone, keeps us waiting for the Android-based W
Modu Mobile finally came clean about the T-phone today, but we're afraid it's bittersweet news -- it's not the lilliputan Android device we've been lusting after for months (that's coming "in the near future") but rather a Brew-based tri-band phone with a 2.2-inch QVGA touchscreen on the relatively old QSC6270 chipset. Thankfully, it does have a host of modular accessories that up its geek quotient radically. You can "camerafy" your Modu by sliding it into a 5 megapixel shell, "sportfy" it with an exercise armband sleeve, "boostify" by slotting it into a combo speaker dock / base station, or even "textify" by adding a vertical QWERTY keyboard. Considering the phone is apparently still Guinness-certified as the lightest touchscreen device in the world, we imagine these combinations will be similarly svelte, but we'll still be waiting for the Android-infused Modu W to appear, thank you very much. PR after the break. %Gallery-104718%
Modu W (a.k.a. T-Phone) scores FCC approval
Modu's tiny, Android-based T-Phone still hasn't made much of a public showing outside of a rare in the wild appearance last month, but it has now finally turned up at the FCC, which hopefully means its getting closer to a release. Judging from the manual that the FCC has kindly provided, it looks like the phone is now called the Modu W, but complete specs are otherwise still a bit hard to come by. It is presumably still hanging onto its title of the world's lightest touchscreen phone, however, and there's still a curious lack of any mention of 3G capabilities -- previous reports have suggested data use would be WiFi-only. Here's hoping that's not the case, but it looks like we're going to have to wait for Modu to get official with this thing to know for sure.
Modu's T-Phone captured in the wild chilling with Android? (video)
Look everyone, it's the littlest handset come to deliver Android cheer. Last month we got word that Modu was working on a touchscreen device dubbed the T-Phone, featuring full 3G and microSD expansion, also referred to as the Modu 2. Now we have video of what looks to be the same phone out in the wild, running an early version of Android (possibly 1.6) and looking rather fit next to an iPhone and an HTC G2. Curiously, this is said to be lacking 3G data entirely, only pulling data over WiFi, but we have to think that's just an issue with this prototype and not something that will be a feature of the retail release. It also sports FM tuning and, curiously, a stylus -- resistive ahoy? We'll have to wait and see.
Modu, world's lightest cellphone, lands in UK
Another day, another... oh wait, what's this? The Modu phone has been an enigmatic figure in the mobile world, treading the precipice of vaporware for a while before finally launching in its home market of Israel last year and in a few more places around the world since then. Aiming to shake up the apparently stale mobile market, this minimalist take on the phone is no larger than the standard battery in your modern smartphone and gets its name from the modular "jackets" it can slip into. They furnish it with added functionality and buttons, while also sprinkling a bit of extra style on top as well. Slide past the break to learn more about this handset, the Modu 1, together with a few teasers about the upcoming touchscreen-based Modu 2.%Gallery-97442%%Gallery-97441%
Is this the Modu T-Phone? (update: yes!)
Modu reminds us a bit of Neonode back in the day -- their products are virtually impossible to find and you don't hear about them terribly often, but when you do, it's almost always interesting news. We'd heard last year that the company would be following its first model with a touch-centric device, and TheGadgetSpot seems to have the straight dope on the new unit, said to be called "T-Phone" with a full touchscreen and a 3G radio. They don't have a date, but it seems Modu is looking at a retail price between $400 and $500 -- hopefully unsubsidized, and hopefully targeting a wider launch than the first time around. [Thanks, Itai] Update: Zach from Know Your Cell has pinged us to let us know that the T-Phone is definitely real -- it's pictured on Modu's site and is claimed to be the lightest touchscreen phone in the world (with a Guinness certification to back it up). It'll apparently have 2GB of internal storage along with microSD expansion and will be available both in 2G and 3G models, presumably for different parts of the world. No release date yet, unfortunately.
Touchscreen-based Modu 2 coming in 2010 (updated)
Modu finally came through with an actual product launch late last month, and already the company is preparing for the next best thing. According to a report over at Pocket-lint, a so-called Modu 2 should make its debut in a few corners of the globe next year. The handset will boast full touchscreen functionality and 3.5G connectivity, but in an effort to remain true to form, Modu will sell a QWERTY jacket that adds hard keys for those who just have to have 'em. To date, Modu has managed to move around 1,000 of its original handsets, but even the second one won't soon see shelves in America. Why? According to CEO Dov Moran, the handset "just isn't good enough for demanding Brits and Americans who like to surf the internet and stay connected." Hey, at least the man's honest.Update: The CEO of Modu pinged us to say that some of the quotes in the source article were incorrect. Here's his comment: "Clearly, our next generation modu 2 which will be touch+ based and will incorporate 3.5G technology will fit the needs of these opertors and we plan and hope to sell these devices throughout the world."
Modu actually launches in Israel, gets hands-on treatment as proof
You know, we really didn't believe it at first, but looks like Modu has finally launched in some part of the world, and just as rumored, the inaugural carrier is the Israel company's local network Cellcom. Likely because they knew we still wouldn't be convinced, the crew at Mobo have gone hands-on with the phone. All in all, no difference from what we saw back in February -- jackets and all -- but hey, it's crossed a major threshold and hit "retail product" status. So is it time to talk about touchscreens yet?
Modu cellphone reportedly launching this week in Israel
Take this one with a grain of salt, but word from across the Atlantic is that Modu will finally (finally!) launch its long-awaited, self-titled handset in just a few days. If you'll recall, we actually toyed with the revamped handset as well as a few "jackets" back at MWC this year, but at that point, no one wanted to share any details surrounding the grand launch plan. Now, however, a report from Israel states that the phone -- along with one jacket -- will go on sale this Wednesday (July 22nd) for 500 Israeli shekels, or right around $130. So, does this mean that elusive touchscreen Modu is just a few days/weeks/months away, or what?[Thanks, Dror]
Modu's next handset to sport a touchscreen?
Modu may be down, but unlike one Ricky Hatton, it ain't out. We haven't heard a whole heck of a lot from the niche handset maker since it handed out pink slips to around one-forth of its workforce, but now that things are looking a bit brighter, it seems as if innovation is back in full force. In fact, a new report on the outfit has it that its next cellphone will pack a touchscreen in order to fit the mold of today's finger-friendly array. Aside from being "iPhone like" (its words, not ours), little else is known about the forthcoming device, though we're told that development should be complete in around eight months. So, anyone wagering that R&D accelerates that just a touch to get this thing out by CES 2010?[Via Talking Mobile]
modu music jacket with JBL turns your mini-phone into a mini-boombox
We've seen plenty of teensy speakers setups for phones, some wired, some Bluetooth, but the beauty of modu is that in this case, the speakers become the phone. Slip modu into this "music jacket" built by PCH International and you get some surprisingly good sound out of the stereo JBL Odyssey speakers, a quality speakerphone setup, and a regular (if incredibly fat) handset experience to boot. The phone side of the device includes a 2.2-inch display and a 3 megapixel camera with flash, and there's a funky "digital sound meter" for visualizing your noise. The jacket will be available later this year; no word on price, but we expect it will stick with the modu trend of "cheap."%Gallery-44949%
modu hands-on with the set, jackets, and some far out visions
True to our word, we popped in to visit Modu day one to get some one on one time with some of the recently announced kit. So we checked out the jackets, the new reworked set, and like last year, we're happy with the whole ecosystem. Sure, you have to approach this with the understanding that for now, Modu is aiming at the middle of the road -- and price point -- and not to take on the iPhone, Palm Pre, and others. But what they have done and done quite well is offer up a really small set, a pile of fun jackets that actually change the phone's functions and kick in a wee bit of color and style. The biggest standout in the collection was a bike snap on with a thumb controller that connects wirelessly -- or dangerously, your call -- to the handset for "while cycling" control of your calls. Lots new is going on with the Israeli startup, a pilot project with Telefonica in Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, plus it has secured a $38 million first offer with Lynk Communication in the Philippines, here's hoping 3G is just around the bend. Take a peek at the gallery for more of the madness and nice video guided by Dov Moran himself.%Gallery-44931%
Modu showcases production phone and accessories
Thought you'd seen the last of Modu, did you? Well, you were dead wrong, Dov Moran and his team have been hard at work -- since we last chatted with them at Mobile World Congress in '08 -- finishing the modular device that was definitely one of the gems of the show last year. As a recap, the Modu's charm and versatility lays in the fact that the handset proper (pictured left) can be moved from one Modu Jacket (right) to another depending on the type of functionality needed. The heart of the magic lies in the tiny and light -- lightest handset in the world we're told -- Modu phone unit, and while details are thin, we know it has been rebuilt to be tougher, memory has been upped to 2GB, and is running a new UI. Also launching are 4 jackets that Modu slips into: the night jacket, street-art jacket, classic, and express. Each jacket (priced from $25 up to $100) can add features the Modu itself doesn't have, like night imaging, stereo speakers, music functionality, gaming, or just about anything else you can dream up. Dov stands by his hopes to get this thing into peoples hands with 2 jackets for a cool $200, here's hoping they land here soon. Pics are after the break and expect a pile more action poses as soon as we land in Barcelona Monday.%Gallery-44382%
Modu reportedly lays off around 25% of its employees
Who's praying now, Modu? The once cocky and altogether promising handset maker has apparently fallen on tough times, with a recent TalkingMobile report suggesting that around one-quarter of its staff (including a few executives) has been told to head home. The reason? Aside from the obvious "the economy" cop out, the company has also been hit hard by launch delays and the inability to land a carrier partner willing to shell out for promotions. Granted, this is far from the end of Modu -- there's still cash to be burnt and avenues to walk down, but we'd probably skip over it when sending out job applications right now.[Via IntoMobile]
Modu CEO says all Nokia can do is pray
While we certainly thought Modu's modular handset had promise when we played with it at MWC a couple days ago, the company's founder seems to think the little handset is about to shake things up in a big way -- in an interview with Israel's TheMarker, Dov Moran said that "all Nokia can do is go the church on Sunday and pray." According to Moran, the Modu is based on the reverse of Nokia's build-it-all-in philosophy, which has led to stagnation in the Finnish company's devices -- "I've been to the Nokia booth, and it's boring. Same device only with 16GB instead of 8" -- and the Modu's flexible nature will combat that. We're not sure -- that N96 was pretty hot -- but we love a good rabble-rouser, and it looks like the staid mobile industry just found one.[Thanks, Benhur; Warning: Hebrew read link]
Hands-on with modu: it's real and plenty fantastic
It's alive! Take that naysayers, we were sure -- or at least really hopeful -- that modu was the real deal, and after our visit with them this morning, we can assure everyone it is. The Guinness Book of World Record people have even confirmed it to be the smallest mobile handset in the world, so we stacked three of 'em up next to our favorite N95-3 and they were just a hair bigger -- see the gallery for the goods. The possibilities are endless for branding, as new modu jackets take almost no time to develop and each jacket can even have its own theme that's loaded, translator content, when you pop the modu in. We saw a pile of prototype ideas, including travel guides, a pocket PC version -- this was way cool -- iPod-esque dock with text message display, and a bevy of others. Modu should be hitting retail toward the end of this year, hopefully we'll see a review unit before then. Follow the link for a massive gallery.%Gallery-15846%
Modu mystery unravelled, look ma, a modular handset
Mystery solved, modu is of course, a modular cellular handset -- the answer was in the name the whole time, clever. The fun begins with the idea that the actual handset can be slipped into "modu jackets" which let users completely change the look of their handset without having to replace it -- we see the potential for way too much glittery gem-encrusted foolishness here. The other half of the deal is slapping the modu into different modu-enabled consumer electronics, or "modu mates" -- think car stereos, photo frames, DAPs, and whatever else you can dream up. If we were betting types, we think modu is on to something pretty interesting here, and it seems with likes of Blaupunkt, Universal Music, and SanDisk already onboard, the Q4 launch might prove to be something special. We don't have any pics showing detail or any technical specs handy just now, but rest assured, we're going to be all over them at Mobile World Congress for more info.