I was pretty down on Modu, which is essentially a module-based GSM system that consists of a tiny handset — no larger than a business card and about a quarter-inch thick — and a bunch of “mates” or “jackets” that wrap around the phone to do different things. Now that I’ve seen it up close […]
I was pretty down on Modu, which is essentially a module-based GSM system that consists of a tiny handset — no bigger than a business card and about a quarter-inch thick — and a bunch of “mates” or “jackets” that wrap around the phone to do different things. Now that I’ve seen it up close and talked to the founder, I’m a bit more interested yet still reluctant to state that this will be an absolute success.
The idea is this: Modu makes the modules and sells an SDK to manufacturers like Bosch and Magellan, two actual partners. The partners write a few GSM hooks into their firmware and to make calls, pick up SMSes, and get data. You buy a module and two jackets for about 200 euro in shops and then buy additional jackets — media players, GPS devices, vibrators, etc. — as needed.
My concern is this: the market is ruled by handset manufacturers who won’t cede territory to a wee start-up. The buy-in for the consumer is fairly big. I’ve to invest in the phone and the jackets and hope that the company doesn’t go belly-up in the next few years and that partners keep releasing jackets. As a manufacturer, however, I’ve the chance to make and sell all my same products but easily, and without FCC approval, add the powers of a cellphone to my gear. I could add Modu compatibility to nearly anything, provided I follow the suggestions and get certified by Modu. My time to market is about four months rather than two years.
They expect product to ship early next year and they already have carriers in Italy, Russia, and Israel interested in the product. Founder Dov Moran knows the industry — he was one of the grandpaters of the thumb drive world — and he has a good team. I only fear that skittish consumers will forgo buying a tiny phone with no track record and a bunch of CE stuff that only works with that phone. Then, add in the possibility of doing this all over Bluetooth or near-field communications, without a physical module, and you’ve got some heavy competition. I accept the the concept but I worry that this won’t get far past this initial stage. Only time will tell.
Apple just trademarked some sort of weird logo for a hand-held gaming rig which everyone is speculating is actually some sort of very exciting Apple-branded handheld game system that will work with iTunes and be the best thing in the world. What I really think is going on here’s that Apple is trademarking a logo for when some crazy Chinese pirate company starts making “Apple” branded game units or this has already happened and they’re just doing due diligence. Chances of an Apple game console? Slim to 5%.
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