This device thinks it can be the last smartphone you will ever need

By now, upgrading a smartphone has gotten fairly routine, so much so that it seems like consumers often do so simply out of habit. It’s a costly one, however, with consumers coughing up over $11 billon each year for a new shiny gadget. Much of these expenses are often hidden in carrier contracts.

The PuzzlePhone, developed by Finnish startup Circular Devices, is among a handful of bold concepts seeking to become a legitimate alternative to this viciously wasteful cycle. Similar to Google’s widely-publicized Project Ara, it’s designed to allow for certain parts to be interchangeable. For instance, fresh batteries can easily be swapped in and should the screen break, you can avoid costly repairs by simply buying a new one. But perhaps the biggest draw is that the phone, to some degree, would be future-proof.

By Tuan C. Nguyen

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/01/23/this-device-thinks-it-can-be-the-last-smartphone-you-will-ever-need/?hpid=z13