There will be 12 new Moto Mods introduced during 2017, according to comments made by Lenovo’s Middle East General Manager for Smartphones, Sharay Shams, to The Express Tribune. Shams was also noted confirming that the new Moto Mods would be compatible with new Moto phones for the next three years. However, there were no further details offered up on which Mods would come through or any more specifics on dates.
The Chinese multinational company, Lenovo, acquired Motorola about two years ago from Google and the first modules followed Moto releasing their new Moto Z line of phones. You could purchase a 2,200 mAh battery pack that even included wireless charging. This pack coupled itself to the already large 3,500 mAh non-removable battery in the Moto Z Force, the 2,600 mAh battery in the Moto Z, and the 3,510 mAh battery in the Moto Z Play. The other module turned your smartphone into a 70-inch wall projector, good for offering presentations or to simply show off pictures. The third device was the Hasselblad camera module that offered 10X optical zoom. While another Mod allowed you to attach JBL speakers to the Moto Z’s back for an improved sound experience.
In an effort to produce more modules, Motorola has held competitions for designers to come up with new ideas. The 12 new modules promised to be released this year should offer up some interesting solutions, although as mentioned, Moto are being tight-lipped on how these new modules will enhance our smartphones. Although, the promise of a three-year life span with these new Moto Mods should help to entice Moto Z owners to make a purchase, knowing they can use their new phone, should they decide to make a purchase next year.
The idea of adding modules to a smartphone started with last year’s LG G5, and while one has to admire LG’s jump into the world of modules, the execution was not well-received by the public. Motorola designed a unique module that was held on by magnets and steadied by the bulge from the protruding camera hump. There was no need to turn off the phone – just snap the module in place, and the phone immediately recognized the add-on via metal contacts on the back of the device. Not only could you add a functional module, but you could also add a decorative backing to customize the look of your phone.