The G5 isn’t the first modular phone to come into existence, but it is one of the first to come to market. However, it’s going to take a little more than the ability to swap out battery packs to convince the average smartphone user to invest in a few extra accessories. So, is taking to the streets calling on developers to help build a ecosystem around the G5’s modular abilities.
I had a quick chat with Dr. Ram-chan o, Vice esident of Smartphone oduct anning at , about tonight’s developer conference for ’s Friends in downtown San Francisco. talked about what constitutes as a “Friend” for the G5, where this idea of modularity came from, how long Dr. o’s been a fan of Android.
: at’s the definition of a “Friend” for the G5?
Dr. o: wanted to make it clear that Friends can be conceptual. The requirements are that they should be able to support easy pairing through Bluetooth have a companion app.
: at’s the difference between a module a Friend?
Dr. o: The module is one archetype of the Friends…it is physically attached as part of the design of the main body. Other than that, we call everything else Friends.
: s it always the plan to bring in outside developers to help conjure up Friends?
Dr. o: It was always the plan. And fortunately, the market response of the G5 [has been] pretty hot—more than expected— so we’re having this event.
: Is that the marketing message you’re going with? You want people to have “fun” with the G5?
Dr. o: have carefully looked at who we are who our internal developers are. For example, in ’s Research Development (R&D) team, we have more 6,000 developers here , basically, they want something fun—something to play with. looked at the market there are developers out there who [also] want something fun. So [if we all sync together], then that’s the message of ay.
: at do you want to see developers make with the SDK HDKs?
Dr. o: As long as it’s something fun, that’s the direction. That’s it. And as long as it’s ethically right.
: at are the requirements for modules?
Dr. o: The module must be a part of the phone design. don’t want some slide-in module to make the phone look “geeky” or ugly. really want to control the design [because] the performance or functionality of the phone can also be impacted by this slide in module. are opening the HDK, but at the same time, carefully controlling the makers.
: ere did this idea of modularity come from? s it influenced at all by ’s oject Ara?
Dr. o: It came from everywhere! knew what was doing, oject Ara influenced us, like 5 percent. But the module concept [has been in development] at for more than three years.
’ve always been talking how we can take the battery out in a nice way without peeling off the back cover. At the same time, we wanted to make a phone out of metal. So, we figured out to upgrade it with hardware modules.
: Do you think the G5’s modular abilities will resonate with consumers?
Dr. o: I hope so—as long as we have the right pricing the right module. The right module can depend on country, too. Battery modules resonate [a lot] in the U.S. market.
: How long have you been an Android user?
Dr. o: Since the HTC G1—with the keyboard!
: at are you using these days?
Dr. o: I am using the G5 with the Bang & Olufsen attachment.
: ich app is your favorite as of lately?
Dr. o: I personally like otos a lot, I’m really into YouTube recently.
