While these two portions stuck out aesthetically, they served a purpose of supporting the firms take
on modular accessories, Moto Mods.
The Essential Phone also comes with its own unique take
on modular accessories.
While they add a ton of bulk to the phone, the simplicity of snapping
on a modular accessory and having it work instantly will go a long way towards taking the modular idea mainstream.
Motorola released a new video
on its modular accessory peripherals called Moto Mods.
Not exact matches
That means it has a set of connectors
on its back that allows the phone to connect to Motorola's various Moto Mod
modular accessories.
The
modular device has an edge - to - edge screen and magnetic connectors
on the back that will allow owners to connect
accessories, including a 360 - degree camera that can be bought alongside the phone.
Instead of merely focusing
on packing top - shelf components into its new G5 smartphone, the company created a
modular device that lets you add functionality by swapping out parts, and also built an ecosystem of fun
accessories that clearly differentiate this year's offering from everything else
on the market.
Like the Moto Z2 and its magnetic Mods, Essential plans
on making a whole catalogue of
modular accessories that bolster the capabilities of the handset, releasing one «every few months.»
Rubin's team thinks that the Essential Phone's
modular accessories will appeal to Android enthusiasts who want to customize a high - end Android with swappable add -
ons that physically attach to the phone.
The Essential phone is joined by a Moto Mod - style range of
modular accessories, which attach using a combination of magnetic pins and a 60 GHz wireless USB adapter
on the device's back.
With the Moto X series having made a name for itself in the smartphone world for offering personalisation like no other smartphone maker did, Lenovo changed things up with the Moto Z. Rather than just being able to customise the look, the Moto Z sought to offer a customised experience via
modular snap -
on accessories, called Moto Mods.
The chief selling point for this year's G5 flagship phone is a
modular design that depends
on interesting
accessories that attach to the device.
Motorola may chain
on its parent company's first Project Tango product, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, to make a
modular augmented reality
accessory for its Moto Z.
The Moto Z2 Force will both give you the best
modular experience available, thanks to snap -
on accessories that are simple to attach, and do a bunch of cool stuff.
Motorola
on Wednesday announced the Polaroid Insta - Share Printer, the latest addition to the Moto Mod line of
modular smartphone
accessories.
The
modular slot
on the bottom of the G5 has a release button to allow for new
accessories to be swapped out.
Hands -
on: Final judgment will be reserved for when we get these in to test although at first glance, Motorola's approach to
modular accessories seems far more practical than what we recently saw from LG.
On the upside, however, Moto Mods are the best implementation of
modular accessories for any device that we've seen.
Motorola
on Thursday pulled the cover back
on the successor to last year's well - received Moto Z Play smartphone and a handful of new Moto Mods —
modular accessories that expand the functionality of the smartphone they're attached to.
Moto Mods are
modular accessories that attach to the Z or Z Force through four magnets, and then communicate with the phone through a series of pins located
on the back of the device.
The
modular design also lets you add
on accessories to boost the Moto Z capabilities, including a projector and a speaker.
Those magnetic connectors allow for
modular accessories, similar to what we saw in the Moto Z. Rubin told Wired that this proprietary connection is the Essential's means of future - proofing the handset, so add -
ons always work with future devices.
The Misfit Ray is a
modular activity tracker that can be worn
on different areas of the body in conjunction with various
accessories.
There's a lot to digest this time around: An all - new metal design, a smaller form factor, volume buttons
on the side, new
modular add -
ons and a host of «friends» —
accessories designed for easy integration with LG's latest phones.
From the look of things, Essential is crafting
modular accessories that gives the phone capabilities it can't deliver
on its own, which is evidenced by the 360 - degree AR camera.
To be clear, the Essential Phone has two magnetic pins placed
on its rear, and that's where «
modular»
accessories will be latching
on to, so to speak.
Modular smartphone
accessories like those from Motorola take this concept a step further although a new «case» seeking funding
on Kickstarter may be the most ambitious undertaking yet in terms of boosting flexibility.
There's a phone dock
on the way and with time, more
modular accessories will follow.
Accessories also look to be a similarly tough gambit for the Essential, which wants to embrace a
modular ecosystem of add -
ons.