Lego PDA

Imagine a PDA that, instead of accepting a module, was completely modular. Every piece has the same depth and width-- say, that of a 2 by 8 lego brick, with accompanying bumps on top and holes below. The height depends on how much space the module needs for it's internal workings and external features. When you click two modules together, they link up via USB or whatever other method. Every module is sold separately.

Buy a processor module, click a touchscreen module and a battery module onto it, and you have a fully functioning PDA. If you'd like, snap an MP3 player module to it-- you might also want to snap on an extra memory module or a Memory Stick module. Need to call someone? Click an earpiece/antenna module on top and a microphone module on the bottom and dial directly from the address book. Want to keep your cell phone separate? Click the earpiece and microphone modules onto a numerical keypad module (don't forget the 3-line LCD module and the battery module).

Modules can be sold incorporating every possible function. GPS, wireless modem, digital camera (still and video), pager, printer, gameboy cartridge adapter, I/O ports, IR port, Bluetooth, anything. An open standard will allow any company to produce their own seamlessly-integrating modules.

At any one time you carry just what you think you'll need. Keep the Lego PDA in one pocket, the Lego cell phone in the other, and extra bits in your briefcase. It'll only ever be as big as you want it to be. Snap them all together at home for a multifunction desktop unit.

When a faster processor comes out, replace just that one piece instead of throwing it all away. Or keep the older processor to use with the MP3 player for a standalone unit.

It will only cost a couple hundred to get started, but get carried away and you'll have spent enough to buy a laptop.

Choose from any of the standard Lego colors to best match your style. Best of all, your real Lego works with it too!