03-02-2019, 02:58 PM
I think I'm starting to see some of the errors in my reasoning: A phone serves a "mission critical" function (communications), trying to add other features would result in a less reliable platform. In retrospect, adding GPIO outputs (for example) exposes the device to potentially damaging conditions. If needed at all, that kind of stuff is better served by using a USB device to allow better isolation of the signals from the phone hardware.
A modular phone is an alluring idea, but carries too many expenses/risks. The original Phoneblocks concept had promise, until Google Ara demonstrated how it shouldn't be done... The balance between modularity, cost, performance, reliability and supportability is crazy hard.
I do, however, still think a dedicated USB host port and support for an external antenna would useful. Whether it would be useful enough for enough users to warrant the effort and cost is another question.
A modular phone is an alluring idea, but carries too many expenses/risks. The original Phoneblocks concept had promise, until Google Ara demonstrated how it shouldn't be done... The balance between modularity, cost, performance, reliability and supportability is crazy hard.
I do, however, still think a dedicated USB host port and support for an external antenna would useful. Whether it would be useful enough for enough users to warrant the effort and cost is another question.
