At launch, LG G5 buyers only have one module that they can buy to take advantage of the G5’s modular design. LG is looking to grow that number, though, by working on new modules with outside developers.
LG today announced that it has launched software and hardware development kits to help developers create and sell modules for the LG G5. While you can use the SDK and HDK to think up a module, any module that you actually want to create will have to be co-developed with LG, a move that LG says is necessary because modules “affect smartphone’s performance and design significantly.”
LG says that it will soon launch a new marketplace to help module developers sell their products directly to consumers.
The G5’s modular design is one of its highlight features, so it’s kind of strange that the only one available at launch is the LG Cam Plus (the Hi-Fi Plus module may not be sold at all in the US and other countries). It remains to be seen what other modules LG might have up its sleeve, but it is good to see that the company is opening up the G5’s modular design to outside developers. Now we just have to wait and see if anyone actually makes new modules for the G5.