Yesterday at 3GSM, UTStarcom debuted the world's first plug in cellular phone module. The module is about the size as two sim cards and less than 3 mm thick. Despite the small size of the cellular module, it houses all the essential functions of the cellular phone.

The actual external phone shell is reduced to just that, a shell. This technology could allow cellular phone manufacturers to shorten the time it takes to bring new phones to market, as the need for complex RF and basedesign during development would be eliminated.

Another interesting possibility of the cellular module is the ability to integrate it with other portable electronics, like an MP3 player that is actually an MP3 player first and a phone second. Or perhaps a PSP that can double as a cellular phone. This technology sounds really cool and could open up a world of possibilities for portable devices.

Via PRNewswire