# Modular Smartphone Concepts (UPDATE) Motorola Teams Up with Phonebloks for Customizable Devices By Meghan Young | Published 2014-10-15 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phonebloks References: [phandroid](http://phandroid.com/2013/10/29/motorola-project-ara/) & [techland.time](http://techland.time.com/2013/10/29/motorolas-project-ara-diy-smartphone-sounds-a-lot-like-phonebloks-because-it-is/) Last year [Motorola](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-phone-experimentation) announced that it was launching an open hardware platform dubbed Project Ara. Since then, the company has teamed up with Phonebloks to involve modular components that delivers a truly customized experience. The future of smartphones as the world knows it, or at least one possible future, Motorola and Phonebloks is doing to hardware what Android has done with software. Forget about decals and cases, the Motorola Phonebloks concept will allow people to create their own smartphone depending on their needs and wants. Released as a Module Developer's Kit, the Motorola Phonebloks project will be more than a concept. The company is also looking for 'Ara Scouts' in order to make the experience and product the best it can be. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Modular Smartphone Concepts:** The rise of modular smartphones presents opportunities for customization and personalization in the mobile industry. - **Open Hardware Platforms:** Collaborations like Motorola's Project Ara and Phonebloks enable the creation of customizable devices, paving the way for disruptive innovation in the hardware industry. - **User-centric Design:** The growing focus on user needs and wants in smartphone design, as showcased by the Motorola Phonebloks concept, highlights the potential for disruptive innovation by creating personalized experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Mobile Technology:** The modular smartphone trend presents opportunities for manufacturers and developers to create customizable devices to meet individual user preferences and needs. - **Technology Hardware:** The adoption of open hardware platforms, such as Motorola's Project Ara, opens up new possibilities for disruptive innovation in the hardware industry, allowing for the creation of modular and customizable devices. - **Design and User Experience:** The concept of user-centric design, as demonstrated by the Motorola Phonebloks project, offers disruptive innovation opportunities in creating personalized experiences and tailored products for consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modular Component Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soul-phone-concept.md) - [Detachable Component Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-smartphone-design.md) - [3D-Printed Modular Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-sliding-system.md) - [Wacky Design Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-phone-experimentation.md) - [Modular Mobile Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmd-fusion.md) - [Malleable Wearable Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorola-adaptive-display-concept.md) - [Modular Photography Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiaomi-modular-optical-system.md) - [Innovative Size-Changing Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorola-rizr.md) - [Wrap-Around Display Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorolas-wraparound.md)