The MWC 2008 - Live Report

Modu

About two weeks ago, only probably a handful of people had heard about modu. All the information available was from a short demo, showing one person putting something into something else and obviously receiving some type of enjoyment from this. We set down with Ms. Liat Arad, modu’s COO and discussed Zack Weisfeld, Vice President of Marketing at modu to discuss how they see the future of their product and what exactly their product is.

The modu system consists of the actual modu phone which is a fully functional one with display and few keys, EDGE data and UI. If slipped into a jacket (the second component), new look is achieved or additional functionality is gained. For example, if a full keyboard is desired, there will be a jacket which will have QWERTY with probably large display for heavy texting crowed. When the modu is inserted, it brings the jacket to life. The list of potential jackets is very long – music, navigation, designer and more. They will be initially manufactured only by modu.



The third module are so called modu mates or devices, which are fully functional without modu, but when paired with it, gains additional functionality. At this moment, the only mate known is Blaupunkt car stereo. The idea to be play music stored on the modu through your cars stereo, or use it as hands-free system. The list of possible mates is as long as the jackets – alarm radios (will charge your modu, synchronize clock and alarm settings, show incoming calls or SMS messages), camera, refrigerators and more.



To illustrate better how will modu work, we’ll give a few examples: in the morning you insert your modu into your Windows Mobile 7 (eventually) jacket and have the full keyboard, touch screen and everything else that system provides. After work, you will insert it into you car’s cd player which will play the music stored in the modu. The list of possible scenarios goes on.

The benefits from the practicality offered by modu are unquestionable. The success of the whole concept lays on the availability of modu jackets and mates. The company has reached an agreement with three carries in the US to distribute their products, but still the time will tell if they will be successful.