PHONEBLOKS|2015

PHONEBLOKS
A SEMINAR SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
Bachelor of Technology
In
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

BY
SAPAN KUMAR PATEL
1201218072

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Purushottam Institute of Engineering &Technology
Rourkela-770034
AUGUST 2015

PURUSHOTTAM INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

PHONEBLOKS|2015

PHONEBLOKS
A SEMINAR SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
Bachelor of Technology
In
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

BY
SAPAN KUMAR PATEL
1201218072

Under the guidance of

Prof. RAKESH KUMAR SINHA

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Purushottam Institute of Engineering &Technology
Rourkela-770034
AUGUST 2015

PURUSHOTTAM INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

PHONEBLOKS|2015

PURUSHOTTAM INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

ROURKELA

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar Report entitled PHONEBLOKS submitted By

Mr. Sapan Kumar Patel in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of

Bachelor of Technology degree Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering during

session 2012-2016 at Purushottam Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rourkela
(BPUT) and is an authentic work by him under my supervision and guidance. To the

best of my knowledge, the matter embodied in the seminar has not been submitted to
any other university/institute for the award of any Degree or Diploma.

Date: 28/08/2015
Place: Rourkela

Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sinha

Dept. of E.T.E
Purushottam institute of engineering &
Technology
Rourkela-770034

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PHONEBLOKS|2015

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to express my deep sense of respect and gratitude towards my advisor and
guide Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sinha, who has been the guiding force behind this work. I am greatly
indebted to him for his constant encouragement, invaluable advice and for propelling me further in
every aspect of my academic life. His presence and optimism have provided an invaluable influence
on my career and outlook for the future. I consider it my good fortune to have got an opportunity to
work with such a wonderful person. I would like to express my gratitude to all the research scholars
whose works were referred to by me during the completion of this seminar. I would like to thank all
faculty members and staff of the Department of Electronics And Telecommunication Engineering,
P.I.E.T. Rourkela for their generous help in various ways for the completion of this seminar. I would
like to thank all my friends and especially my classmates for all the thoughtful and mind stimulating
discussions we had, which prompted me to think beyond the obvious. I have enjoyed their
companionship so much during our stay at P.I.E.T, Rourkela.

Sapan Kumar Patel

1201218072

PURUSHOTTAM INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

PHONEBLOKS|2015

Abstract

Phonebloks is an innovative idea created by David Hakkens from Netherlands that uses
modular technology in order to build a cellular device that will be long lasting in the hopes of
sustaining our technological dependency without producing excessive amounts of waste. A
Phonebloks is an open source project for customers around the world to develop the sustainable and
adaptable technology devices that they need.
A Phonebloks comprised of two terms phone and Blok. A Blok is the base. A phone is a
combined part of the machinery required by a customer. So, a Phonebloks is the new generation
mobile phone which can be modified to its full extent.
concept of Phonebloks works similar to desktop available in the market i.e., for instance if we
are having low memory on our phone we can simple upgrade the specific component that holds the
memory of the device, if we want heavy graphics then we can replace an unused component with a
graphic card and if we need more computation power then there is no need to replace entire phone
we can straight forward replace the processor component.
In a nutshell, a Phonebloks is modular, much flexible, provides much functionality and has
the fullest advantage of its features to the user. Multiple companies work on single product unlike
single company working on multiple products and hence deliver the purest product to the customer.

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Contents
Chapter I
Introduction
Definition
Concept of Phonebloks
History
Chapter II
Need for Phonebloks
How Phonebloks are better
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Chapter III
Phonebloks
Purpose of Phonebloks
Modular technology
How modular technology is used in Phonebloks
Reason for replacing the blokes
Components in Phonebloks
Chapter IV
Current research work
Chapter V
Advantages
Disadvantages
Current setup
Chapter VI
Conclusion
References

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Chapter I
Introduction
Phonebloks is a new generation Smartphone. A phone is nothing but a phone comprising of blocks.
Today electronic waste is increasing day to day due to many reasons like the device may be slow,
damaged or a new device into the market. By considering this damage to the world, the concept of
Phonebloks was given by a Netherlands innovator David Hakkens. It is a new generation
Smartphone mobile phone which can be modified to its full extent.

Definition
Phonebloks- the name comprises of two words. They are phone and Blok. A phone is normal
mobile phone that is used to communicate with others using wireless communication and a Blok is a
component which can be used for a specific purpose. The Blokes are normally used for display, audio,
ram, memory, CPU and so on. A Phonebloks is new generation Smartphone that uses modular
technology which is more flexibility and can be up to date with the latest technology. The unused
blocks can be replaced with the useful resources. Instead, the phone will be made of multiple parts
that can be exchanged and substituted independently instead of as a whole device. By attaching
individual third-party components (called blokes) to a main board, a user would create a
personalized Smartphone. These blocks can be replaced at will if they break or the user wishes to
upgrade.
Phonebloks is a revolutionary device employing a smart base that is compatible with detachable
blocks. Allowing the user to easily upgrade hardware and attach those components that suite their
lifestyle and changing daily needs. the company will launch a free collaborative innovation platform
for consumers and developers to engage in creating new blocks this is the first Smartphone company
that openly involves consumers in both hardware and software development.
In the similar way Phonebloks aims to turn your phone into a complete different phone which will
always be latest. You can upgrade your phone with any latest or high capacity part anytime and
anywhere. Like the pasture that is available online i.e., over the internet to download software in our
Smartphone. A bookstore will be available where one can upgrade his old Blok with the new. All the
blocks are available in the most desired shape and structure. The blocks can be manufactured by any
manufacture that means these Blokes are not manufacturer specific.

Concept of Phonebloks
Phonebloks would consist of a main board onto which Blokes could be snapped on by the user like
Lego bricks. Each Blok is responsible for a unique function of the phone, much as a desktop computer
has a distinct sound card, graphics card, and processor, monitor and power supply. As a result,
instead of replacing the entire phone when it becomes obsolete or broken, one could simply replace
the defective or performance-limiting part. If the consumer wanted a better camera, for example, he
or she could swap their small generic camera Blok for a larger zoom camera from a manufacture

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such as Nikon or canon instead of buying a phone with a better camera. In theory, this would lead to
fewer people throwing away their phones and contributing to the ever-increasing problem of
electronic waste. Smartphone based on the Phonebloks system would be sold part by part, as well as
in starter sets. When assembled, the phone would have a screen covering the entirety of the front,
volume buttons and headphone
Jacks along the outer edge, and Blokes clicked into the back, forming a rectangular block shape.

History
David Hakkens from Netherlands has created one of the most revolutionary concepts of the 21st
century, known as Phonebloks. His idea is that we can reduce a huge amount of electronic waste by
simply upgrading individual components, or blokes of our phones, rather than discarding the entire
phone if something breaks or becomes obsolete. This in turn will reduce electronic waste, conserve
natural resources, and protect consumers at the same time. He has made the Phonebloks concept
open-source, so any group such as phonebloks.org (thats us) can take the idea to the next level, and
produce a working, viable Phonebloks phone. A user would create a personalized Smartphone. These
Blokes can be replaced at will if they break or the user wishes to upgrade.

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Chapter II
Need for Phonebloks
As the electronic market changes every day, it has increased a lot of e-waste. For a single upgrade,
we need to change the whole phone. Precise shape and structure leads to inconvenience to some
customers. Mobile needs to be flexible. It must only have the customers required features. For all the
above needs David Hakkens has given the solution with his innovative idea Phonebloks.
How Phonebloks are better
A Phonebloks is better compared to the smart phones available in the market because
it is green
a modular Smartphone
customization to its fitness
mobile flexibility
it can be updated
easy to upgrade individual components
open source platform

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats

Strengths
Customization - the Phonebloks platform allows the consumer to customize smart phones
to suit the highly specific demands of their lifestyle.
Strong partners - strategic partnership with Motorola and Google in modular phone
technology.
Green and sustainable product the open modular platform has the ability to upgrade
with biodegradable Blokes that can reduce e-waste.

Weaknesses
Software compatibility necessity to develop cross-functional software that is compatible
to modular hardware components.

Opportunities
Always updated technology Blokes are easily customizable and upgradable.
Friendly to new and upcoming technology modular pieces allow integration between
the phone and modular technology devices, allowing hardware to be shared between
devices.

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A point of difference to apple and Samsung Phonebloks is a white box, not only in
regard to software but also hardware; flexible, sustainable, cheaper, innovation and
customer driven.
Open-source open-source technology allows for a unique continuous customer
interaction in product development.
Blok store and global delivery system online access to purchase and exchange Blokes in
the online store.

Threats
design attractiveness customer are holding all the power in regarding to design and
therefore this could be an issue whether its physical appearance is appealing to the
majority of customers.
Threats of substitutes the current smart devices offering on the market are substitutes to
the modular.

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Chapter III
Phonebloks
Phonebloks uses modular technology in order to build a cellular device that will be longer lasting in
the hopes of sustaining our technological dependency without producing excessive amounts of waste.
Instead, the phone will be made of multiple parts that can be exchanged and substituted independently
instead of as a whole device. Consumers will be able to customize their device and support differ
brands depending on what they are looking for in a phone.
Phonebloks aims to turn your phone into a complete different phone which will always be latest. You
can upgrade your phone with any latest or high capacity part anytime and anywhere. Like the app
store that is available online i.e., over the internet to download software in our Smartphone, a
bookstore will be available where one can upgrade his old Blokes with the new. All the blocks are
available in most desired shape and structure. The blocks can be manufactured by any manufacturer
that means these blocks are not manufacturer specific.

Phonebloks

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Purpose of Phonebloks
stop the waste
Electronic waste is a growing problem for a world in which the daily dependency and
fascination with electronics is demanding and constant technological progress. When outdate
or broken electronic products (such as phones, computers, vs. player, etc.) are thrown away,
the waste is considered e-waste. As more products are produced and distributed, more
products are thrown away.

customizable mobile phone

The main purpose of the Phonebloks is get upgraded from the blocks level of a mobile phone
instead of replacing to a new mobile phone. An online bookstore will be made available
where customers can build their own phone, exchange and review Blokes with other
customers, and purchase accessories. In order to appeal to all budgets, three distinct models
appealing to multiple incoming segments will be made available during the selection process.
Afterwards, the customer will be able to make adjustments to his base-product to modify it
according to his/her specific needs. Afterwards, the total price will be displayed and the
purchasing shipping process will be conducted.

Modular technology
Modular design in Phonebloks hardware is the same as modular design in other things (e.g. car,
fridge, even furniture). The idea is to build Phonebloks with easily replaced parts that use
standardized interfaces. This technique allows you to upgrade certain aspects of the computer easily
without having to buy another computer altogether.
a computer is actually one of the best examples of modular design typical modules are power supply
units, processors, main boards, graphics cards, hard drives, optical drives, etc. all of these parts
should be easily interchangeable as long as you use parts that support the same stand interface as the
part you replace.

How modular technology is used in Phonebloks

Modular technology is used to get done with a new mobile phone Phonebloks. In Phonebloks, every
hardware component called Blok. the blokes usually are screen, wife, memory, ram, camera, etc.
every Blok consists of four pins which are in connection with other blokes by using base as
intermediate to transmit signals. All the Blokes are put together with the help of two screws at the
bottom of the mobile phones. The Blokes can be upgraded with the help of bookstore available in
desired shapes.

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Blokes used in Phonebloks

Screws used to put Blokes together

Reasons for replacing the Blokes

The Blokes
In this smart phones are replaced because of following reasons, if
blokes are damaged
any upgrade is required
broken blokes
unused component
If everything is stored online then there is no need of any internal memory and we required more
battery backup.

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Upgrading of battery
If you are interested in taking photograph then you can upgrade to a better camera without replacing
the entire device.

Upgrading to better camera

Components in Phonebloks
The main components of Phonebloks are

base
The base is like spinal cord in human being. It is responsible for connecting one Blok to all
the remaining Blokes. All the Blokes are injected into the base with the help of the pins
present in each Blok is connected to the base connects to everything over the base.

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The base

Blok
Blokes are the hardware required to make entire phone. These are placed over the base to
communicate with all other hardware with the help of base.

Blokes

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Chapter IV
Current research work
Motorola late Monday unveiled project Ara, a hardware platform that would allow
consumers to build their own Smartphone by snapping modular parts into a frame. The
Libertyville, III.-based Company, owned by Google Inc., has been working on project Ara for
more than years and is opening the design process to the public.
Project Ara marks Motorolas most ambitious effort yet in customizable mobile devices, a
vision it introduced with this summers launch of the Moto X. That Smartphone lets consumer
choose from an array of colours for the device's back plate and external hardware accents.
With project Ara, the ability to customize the phone extends into display, keyboard, camera,
battery and processor. A shutterbug might opt for a high-definition display and a camera with
lots of megapixels, while frequent business travellers might choose a battery with extended
life. A modular design also means a Smartphone owner who wants to upgrade or replace a
single part- a sluggish processor or a cracked screen, for example could do so without
buying a new device.
Motorolas goal is to give you the power to decide what your phone does, how it looks,
where and what its made of, how much it costs, and how long youll keep it, the companys
advanced technology and projects group said in a blog post. Motorola decline to comment
beyond the post.
Project Aras modular phones appear far from hitting store shelves; the initiative has to
overcome a number of engineering and design challenges before becoming reality.
Motorola is pushing forward by partnering with Phonebloks, a modular mobile phone
concept created by Netherland-based designer David Hakkens. He posted a YouTube video
garnering nearly 17 million views.
As Hakkens explained in a follow-up video on the Phonebloks website, he talked with a
number of companies and discovered that Motorola was already working on a similar
concept. The two groups joined the forces, though Hakkens said Phonebloks will stay
independent funded.
Motorola said in its blog post that it will tap the Phonebloks community for feedback. The
company also has hired dscout, a Chicago technology firm, to manage am ongoing consumer
research program.

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Volunteers who sign up online to be research scouts will be asked to complete a series of
tasks, such as answering questions and snapping photos. Responses are submitted through a
mobile application.
Tens of thousands of participants have already signed up- about twice the number of
volunteers that typically complete projects with Dscout, said chief executive Michael winnick.
The Ara program is expected to run for about a year, and Dscout volunteers might get first
crack at early prototypes of the modular phone.
Dscout has worked with Motorola before, but the ara project stands out in its level of
ambition and scale, said winnick, adding that it also is very rate a large organization to be
out there and open about new product development.
Chris Jansen, a Chicagoan who work in information security and saw the Phonebloks
YouTube video, signed up to be a research scout for Ara. He was drawn to designing a
phone in an entirely new way based on community feedback, especially because it takes the
idea of you can upgrade whats important to you out of the carriers.
The Ara project also attracted Alex pedenko, co-founder of Chicago-based start-up swing
byte. He used to build his own PC's and is intrigued by the potential to customize a mobile
phone with components such as an air-quality sensor or barometer.
It opens the door for third-party accessories that people havent even thought of right now,
said Pedenko, whose company makes a gadget that clips onto a golf club and collects data on
a player's swing.
Technology companies have experimented with modular mobile devices in the past
handspring, the maker of the palm pilot personal digital assistant, offered modules such as an
MP3 player or GPS unit that plugged into the gadget like a video game cartridge.
Project Ara envisions components fitting into a frame called the endoskeleton, Motorola said
in its blog post.
The concept faces hurdles in consumer adopting and engineering. For starters, the ability to
choose a battery or processor might appeal only to a narrow technical crowd.

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Chapter V
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
customer empowerment

Phonebloks allows the customer to interact and feedback on the mobile

phone they want through our integrated online customer platform

customizable

online platform allows the consumer to customize a Smartphone to suit the

highly

specific demands of their lifestyle

flexibility in price

the modularity of the product allows it to complete in the lower and higher
priced

Smartphone segment

strong partners

strategic partnership with Motorola and Google in modular phone

technology

innovative product

creative collaboration between smart phones producers and customers

continuity of unlimited creative input

green and sustainable product

the open modular platform has the ability to upgrade with biodegradable

blokes that can reduce e-waste

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Disadvantages

partner-reliant business model

product development is reliant on current partners and probability to attract

new ones

software compatibility

necessary to develop cross-function software that is compatible to modular

hardware components

low brand awareness

many Smartphone users are not aware of Phonebloks and its benefits due to little

advertising

financial and legal stability

reliant on crowd-funding and Motorola as well as intellectual property

protection hurdles with existing patents

economies of scale and scope

Phonebloks is a start-up company starting in a highly competitive industry

which gives the company the disadvantage of economies of scale and scope

Current setup
speed

Intel quad core 4

battery

2000mah

storage

8 Gb

network

4g

camera

12 mp canon had

audio

Bose 4.0

weight

130 gm

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Chapter VI
Conclusion
Phonebloks is a good way to prevent e-waste. It provides much functionality in a compact manner.
Phonebloks are much flexible as compared to the legacy phones has the fullest advantages of its
features to the user. Multiple companies work on single product unlike single company working on
multiple products and hence deliver the purest product to the customer. Multiple companies work on
single product unlike single company.

References
1.

McNicoll, Arion. "Phonebloks: The Smartphone for the rest of your life". CNN.com.
Retrieved 23 October2013.

2. Oswald, Ed. "Modu looks to make cell phones 'modular'". betanews. Retrieved 10
November 2013.
3. US application 20110230178, Jones; Gregory G.; (Seattle, WA) ; Hanson; Lisa M.; (Issaquah,
WA) ; Kleist; Thomas; (Redbourn, GB); Hanson; Lisa M & Kleist; Thomas, "Mobile
Communication Device Having Multiple, Interchangeable Second Devices", published 201109-22, issued YYYY-MM-DD, assigned to Microsoft Corporation
4.

Hakkens, David. "Phonebloks: A Phone Worth Keeping (Idea)". Retrieved 10

November 2013.

5.

Rosenblatt, Scott (15 April 2014). "Google targeting Project Ara modular phone for January
2015". CNET. Retrieved 16 April 2014.

6.

"Phonebloks - A Customizable Smartphone That Could Revolutionize The Industry". De

Wereld Draait Door. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2014.

7.

Leather, Antony. "Phonebloks - A Customizable Smartphone That Could Revolutionize The

Industry".Forbes.com. Retrieved 24 October 2013.

8.

"Phonebloks mobile phone concept by Dave Hakkens". dezeen magazine. Retrieved 10

November 2013.

9.

"Phonebloks on Thunderclap".

10. Hahn, George. "Why the PhoneBloks phone will never happen". genericmaker.com.
Retrieved 25 October 2013.
11. Hakkens, David. "Phonebloks: The plan". Retrieved16 November 2013.

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