Google snaps up Modu patents worth $4.9 million
updated 03:40 pm EDT, Thu May 19, 2011
Google buys up Israel-based Modu phone patents
The patents held by Israel-based modular phone maker Modu, which laid off most of its workforce in November, has now been purchased by Google. The software giant will pay $4.9 million, most of which will go to pay off Modu's creditors and former employees owed wages. While Google remains tight-lipped about its plans for its new purchase, it's likely support for modular Android phones could come in the future.
Modu launched in 2008 with a basic, main handset that can snap into different backs that endow it with different features.
A Modu Android phone, the T Phone, was shown off in October, but never made it to production. It would have been the smallest handset with the OS, and ship unlocked for use with CDMA or GSM carriers. An add-on would bring with it speakers, while another would add a hardware QWERTY keyboard. [ BGR]
