Plus, you have even more options when you add on additional units. The possibilities are nearly endless. The only snag is that the Modi is still in the concept stage—but it has all of the characteristics of something that could be a hit. [Moredesign via Trendsnow via Homedit via Hometone]

Nope, though that last one was close. What you're looking at is the Illuminato X Machina, a modular motherboard prototype. Each square cell has its own storage, processor, and memory, allowing them to operating independently or as part of a networked cluster.

Instead of having an entire system crash if a component experiences a fatal error, failure of a single cell can still leave the rest of the system operational. It also has the potential to change computing by ushering in machines that draw very little power.

David Ackley, associate professor of computer science at the University of New Mexico, is one of the contributors to the project, as is Justin Huynh. You may remember them as the brains behind the peer-to-peer borrowing and lending Open Source Hardware Bank.

Hive mind mobos, open-source lending? Sounds like socialized medicine to me. (I kid). [Wired]

Unfortunately, Modu founder Dov Moran appears to be backtracking mightily from remarks he made when we first learned about Modu more than a year ago.

If you'll remember, Modu was once billed as a modular phone with dozens of "jackets" that could do everything from GPS to play MP3s. Additional hyperbole included the promise that the phone would be an experience that could turn the "one-size-fits-all" smartphone market "on its ear."

Now, however, Moran is talking only about the low cost, simplistic nature of the modu.

"Don't forget that billions of people are still using 2nd-gen devices and a lot of them don't need much more. People just want a small, light device that's easy to dial and send text messages. If you want an Iphone with a camera that makes coffee and can transform into a kite, and you're ready to pay thousands of Shekels for it - well, you have a big choice to pick from."

Yeah, but wasn't this thing advertised as the phone that could quickly and easily transform into whatever you desired? I kind of got the impression, ironically, that a phone turning into a kite was a Modu trick, not the iPhone. Guess that changed during focus group testing. [Calcalist via Mobo]

Word came to us today via a tipster, via Israel, via Google Translate, so proceed with much skepticism. That said, we do have an article citing Modu CEO Dov Moran, who says the modular handset is scheduled for launch in Southeast Asia in Q2 (as we reported in February). The report adds that the 200 Modu employees, in addition to churning out new phones, have been asked to swap their Nokia handsets for Modu ones.

As a refresher, the Modu concept is pretty simple: Take one tiny, tiny cellphone and build a number of "jackets" around it that do a variety of different tasks. One may be an "mp3 jacket," for example, while another could simply be a color palette swap for a night on the town. If you're still confused, think of the Wiimote and its many worthless white plastic sports-related accessories, except in this case the add-ons do something, like GPS.

Moran explains in a video from earlier this year:

Sadly, if this strikes your fancy and you live in the U.S. you're out of luck (for now). In the article, Moran only mentions Southeast Asia, Russia and other scattered territories outside the Americas. Personally, as I sit here today with my multitasking iPhone 3G laying lovingly at my side, I'm having a hard time getting worked up over the snub. [Calcalist (translated) via Talking Mobile - Thanks, Harel]

The CSSS is helmed by Oceaneering International, and has a focus on versatility above all else. It's a modular design, with one base model that can be easily altered to handle a wide variety of situations, from the moon to Mars to an asteroid. Very little else is known about this suit; it's scheduled to first appear with the launch of the Orion in (hopefully) 2015, and it's certainly a major element in the future of American space exploration, but the specifics are mostly in the fog of the future for now. [via Engadget]

At the heart of the modu ecosystem is a tiny, modular and sleek mobile phone. In addition to complete mobile functionality, the modu phone is a music player and a mass storage device containing 2 GB of internal memory. The innovative modu phone presents a bold graphical user interface and a unique seven-key keypad to perform basic functions even without a modu jacket. For added functionality and style, users can easily slip the modu phone into a range of modu jackets. This modu ecosystem offers boundless – and affordable – possibilities.

The new modu jacket lineup includes:

• modu™ night jacket: inspired by the nightlife scene, this jacket includes futuristic styling with an edgy keypad, flashing lights, night mode imaging and a unique graphical user interface
• modu™ street-art jacket: capturing the expressive and vibrant street art scene, this jacket fea-tures stereo speakers and dedicated music keys for a powerful music experience
• modu™ classic jacket: designed to fit the everyday needs of a modern lifestyle, this jacket carries all essential mobile communication features with an air of elegance and fine taste
• modu™ express jacket: this jacket transforms the modu phone and user interface with a rain-bow of fun, playful flavors 
 
"modu is turning the notion of a ‘one-size-fits-all' mobile phone experience on its ear," said Dov Moran, founder and chief executive officer of modu. "Consumers want a mobile phone that can keep up with their dynamic lifestyles. The combination of the eye-catching modu phone with the new modu jackets offers not only personalized style but affordable updates without the costly expense of buying a new phone."

At its heart, the Modu phone is a simple cellphone (the lightest on the planet according to Guinness), but adding these jackets can completely change the functionality and aesthetic of the device—allowing the user to customize the device to his/her tastes. Modu expects to have these jackets on the market by Q2 of 2009, with several other jackets to roll out by the end of the year. If the previous info holds up, the phone plus two jackets will be available for only $200, with additional jackets running from $20 to $60—an agressive low price that could be key to its success. What do you think? Does Modu have a chance? [Modu via TechCrunch]

The core of the new line is made up of the new 'Mysterium' brains, pictured in the gallery above and detailed in the gallery below. These boxy sensors can be built up into 5D-esque DSLRs, compact prosumer camcoders, full-fledged professional video cameras or even a 3D unit with a new line of lenses, flash storage, frames, mounts and other add-ons, outlined with the new sensors below. In addition to their own lenses, the new cameras mercifully support gear built for Nikon and Canon standards with mount adapters, so you don't have to re-buy all of your optics. In spring, when the first of the new units are intended to ship, RED One users won't be left out in the cold — they'll get purchase credit towards new cameras, or if they'd just like to throw one of the new sensors into their existing rig, credit towards that. I guess this is what Jannard meant when he said RED had a 'new vision'.

For the full release, click here. Warning — comically giant JPEG. [RED]

[Product Design Forums via Born Rich via Apartment Therapy]

[Techpin via DVICE]

The concept is interesting, but I would imagine that it might take a significant amount of time to construct anything on a large scale, not to mention the fact that an entire office made from this stuff would look extremely bizarre. At the very least, one would hope that Bloxes would offer a most cost effective solution that purchasing traditional furniture—but at $60 for a pack of 20 I'm not so sure. [Bloxes via TechCrunch via CNET via Lifehacker]

For example, you could snap on your snowboarding equipment then quickly transform it into a regular backpack as the situation warrants. I can't say that I'm big into sports that require a ton of gear, but I can see how the QuickShell could prove to be a big-time saver. it might even be smart enough to graduate into an actual product. [Yanko Design]

As you can see, Modu can be operated on its own as a very simple cellphone or become a full-fledge multimedia phone, a portable media player, a car sound system, a full car GPS, a bike mini-GPS, a toaster or a fully armed, fully operational battle station. Maybe, not so sure about the later. The video shows the Modu being inserted into a MacBook Pro and I wonder if it uses a standard ExpressCard connector to work its magic.

The concept of carrying a small module with basic communications capabilities, holding your personal data so all these other devices can change personality is attractive. Specially since some devices could be shared with other members of your family. On the other side, it could be the dumbest, biggest flop in cellphone history.

In any case, we will be all over them like shareware. If only for the NES clickity-clack sound of getting Modu inside whatever jackets. The price is great too: $200 for the basic module plus two jackets. The company says it plans to introduce other jackets for $20 to $60, which is quite an agressive strategy. If they work well, collecting them may get more popular than picking Pokémons. [Modu via Business Week]

Designed by a Winnipeg-based company called Cocoon, the Oi sofa costs $2,300 [I Like Oi via MoCo Loco]

Designed by Ivan Huber, the bag itself comes in three sizes: urban day pack; weekender; and God, she's in a right old mood today five-day trekker. Snap it into the universal frame, made of molded plastic. Air channels provide breathability, and the core is flexible, so you can wriggle around easily with it on you.

It looks so space-agey that you could probably wear the frame without the bag attachment to play Astronauts & Nurses, or whatever it is you like to play at on a weekend. [Yanko]