Dive Brief:
- Facebook acquired Bay Area startup Nascent Objects and its modular electronics platform, a software solution that expedites the process for building objects such as 3D-printed hardware, as reported by Recode.
- Nascent Objects will become part of Building 8, Facebook’s secretive hardware lab.
- The concept of modular electronics has been part of the discussion in technology for some time, with the idea of a modular smartphone that allows users to pick and choose desired features the most common type of hardware discussed.
Dive Insight:
Building 8 is headed by Regina Dugan, a former Google employee who ran its advanced technology products team involved with modular smartphones and 3D mapping. Just last month, Google reportedly abandoned its modular smartphone initiative called Project Ara.
Facebook’s interest in Nascent Objects is an indication that modular electronics remains an area that tech firms are willing to explore. It also points to platforms' ongoing interest in building hardware so they can have more control over the user experience even though the success stories are few.
Facebook long ago grew beyond its purely social media roots, but hardware is an entirely new space for a company much better known for app development and digital advertising. Google experimented with hardware quite some time ago, moving past its search and advertising beginnings, so in a way Building 8 might be Facebook’s way to remain fresh while still keeping up with one of its main digital marketing competitors.