Modu Mobile Phones

Modu was an Israel-based mobile phone company founded in 2007 by Dov Moran, who is also known for inventing the USB flash drive. Modu’s claim to fame was its creation of the world’s lightest and smallest mobile phone, which was recognized by the Guinness World Records. The company’s innovative concept revolved around a tiny mobile phone that could be inserted into a variety of enclosures, or “jackets”, which then provided additional functionality, changed its appearance, and even transformed it into other devices like a camera or a more feature-rich smartphone.

This modular approach allowed users to customize their mobile experience and adapt it to different needs or preferences without having to change their core device. Despite the innovative idea, Modu struggled to gain a significant market share in the highly competitive mobile industry. The company faced difficulties in securing partnerships with mobile carriers and in enticing a broad customer base to adopt its modular phone concept.

In February 2011, Modu announced it was shutting down and seeking to sell its patents and technology. Later that year, Google acquired Modu’s patent portfolio, which was considered a strategic move for the development of future mobile devices, possibly influencing the modular phone concept seen in later projects like Google’s Project Ara, which was eventually discontinued in 2016. Modu’s journey underscores the challenges of introducing modular technology in the mobile phone market, despite the appeal of customization and flexibility.