Facebook seeks patent for a modular device
Could Facebook be trying to succeed where Google's Project Ara has so far failed?
The prototype of Google's Project Ara modular phone.
Modular phones sound like a great idea: Add the bits you want to custom-build your own dream smartphone. So far, however, Google's Project Ara and LG haven't managed to make them work. Perhaps Facebook could give it a go next, as the social network attempts to patent a modular device.
Business Insider spotted the new patent application, published Thursday, for a "modular electromechanical device" chassis. Modules, such as a speaker, microphone, touch display or GPS, could then be attached.
The patent application comes from Facebook's forward-thinking Building 8 team, which is looking at possible hardware-related directions for the company.
