Microsoft patents hardware modules for mobile devices

Late last week Microsoft secured several patents relating to swappable hardware modules for mobile devices. These modules could serve mobile phones as hardware keyboards, remote controls, controller pads for gaming, extra batteries or pretty much anything else, and could easily be swapped out depending on the need.

The concept may remind some of the relatively unsuccessful but highly-innovative LG Versa, a phone that wowed users by providing a removable keyboard attachment that would give the Versa a hardware keyboard when needed. The phone worked fine without the keyboard, but was obviously much improved for typing long blocks of text when paired with the attachment. Other optional attachments included a basic gaming controller.

While this technology seemed very much ahead of the curve, the idea didn't quite catch on as well as many industry observers had thought it would. Now it seems as though Microsoft is going to give the notion of modular accessories another look.

There are some problems that may present themselves if Microsoft decides to implement the technology with their mobile platform, Windows Phone. For one thing, in order for the whole modular attachments idea to really catch on a great many devices would have to be introduced that all met certain specifications. The devices would have to physically accommodate the modules by allowing enough room in the body of the phone and by supporting a connection type that is more than likely proprietary.

The fact that Microsoft has so many partners manufacturing hardware to run Windows Phone means that fragmentation could be a serious issue and that some companies may choose to wait on the sidelines until this technology truly catches on.

For now we'll just have to wait and see how this whole idea pans out, but it is exciting. It means that Windows Phone users might soon be able to purchase a mobile phone that can feature a hardware keyboard, or a game controller, or more batteries... all changeable on the fly. Don't game? Then don't pick up the gaming attachment. Prefer watching movies on the big-screen TV? Pick up the remote control attachment and/or dock.

It also means that Microsoft has finally armed itself with some patents that might prove valuable if this patent war ever picks up. If Microsoft has learned anything from Google over the past six months or so it's that getting slapped upside the head by the long and litigious arm of the law really sucks.

[SOURCE]