Edit (10 September 2013): You might like to look at a neat video, YouTube: Dave Hakkens: Phonebloks or the related website phonebloks.com for one designer’s proposal for a first-generation fragmented phone platform.
You see people complain or make fun of people taking pictures with a tablet. You should complain at the tablet makers, though. They are the ones you should make fun of. If the camera wants to dock with the device, fine. But there’s really little reason the camera should be built into the device, other than selling a package for more than the parts, and anti-capitalist barriers to entry.
So yeah, a non-ten-item list of becauses.
Because you can hand someone your camera without handing them your digital life. They can borrow your camera for a trip, and not take your movies and books with them.
Because you can change the data you wear to work and the data you wear after work, just like you change your clothes when you get home.
Because batteries run out, and even if they didn’t, sharing extra battery with a friend or stranger is better than hording it.
Because everyone’s priorities are different, and I don’t want the most megapixels, and you don’t want the physical keyboard, and…
Because the Internet of Things depends on not shoving a screen, speaker, and camera into every toaster, refrigerator, and coffeemaker.
Because it will be easier to add new sensors, for science!
Because holding up a large rectangle to position a tiny camera sensor is just no fun.
Because different photos and recordings require different sensors, lenses, mics, lights…
Because buying your mobile kit one piece at a time costs less, and that’s a more democratic model for spreading technology to everyone.
Because you can hand-me-down your old components to your kids, or trade with your coworkers for the parts that suit you better.
Because it takes the power away from the few companies that can afford to build the bundled equivalents, and gives it back to you.
Because who wants to buy a whole new device when the next generation wireless networks come out?
Because then it will come in your favorite color.
Because a single brick isn’t as wearable as separate parts.
Because it undermines silly arguments against things like tethering, when the radio isn’t integrated to just your device.
Because your preferences in computing should mean more than two brands or the plastic case you wrap around your device.
Because laptops have never been as buildable as desktops, and that’s been a shame.
Because functional capitalism depends on finding ways of competing on the smallest set of differences possible at once.
Because the camera sensor makers will compete on camera sensing abilities, and the processor makers on processing abilities, and so-on.
Because all the parts will compete on price.
Because having a backup shouldn’t mean having an entire, separate device.
Because it will spread at least basic literacy of what a device consists of to the masses.
Because it reminds us that we can do more working together than any superman could ever do by herself.
Because nobody lives a standard-issue life.
Because it’s your equipment, not theirs.
Because I can’t think of everything, and neither can they.
Do you have your own reasons that mobile devices should be split into their parts? Disagree? Feel free to comment!