Phonebloks is a revolutionary new concept ................... Dutch designer Dave Hakkens. His idea is .................... create a fully customizable phone that users CAN build from separate parts. At the moment, the phone is only ...................... the design stage, ....................... work is going on now to bring the dream to reality.

A Phonebloks phone is made up of modular pieces, something like the popular toy Lego. You can build your phone from separate components. The camera, battery, and all of the other parts connect to a simple base. Because you can change any part of the device, you can customize your phone and make it work for you. For example, if you want to install lots of apps, you can improve the memory so the phone contains more data. If someone wants a basic smartphone that he or she only uses for text messages, you can build a handset without a passcode or any complicated features.

There are other advantages, too. Today, if a part of a smartphone breaks, many people throw it away and replace it with a new model. For example, if the screen of your smartphone cracks, and it is impossible to read your messages or texts, you MIGHT just put it in the trash. Therefore, the new phone will reduce electronic waste.

Unfortunately, waste from technical products is growing all the time. Dumping large amounts of waste from technology products like these can damage public health. The chemicals and heavy metals inside them can enter the ecosystem. With Phonebloks, people can just take the broken parts off their phone and replace them with new ones.

This system will encourage people to keep the same handset for longer. Many of our gadgets, like tablets and phones, don’t have a long life. After two or three years, many users replace their old gadget with a new model. This is unnecessary because there is nothing wrong with these devices. If users only replace one part at a time, they can upgrade their phones without creating any more industrial waste.

At the moment, Hakkens is designing a Phonebloks smartphone prototype: an early version of the phone. He is generous with his knowledge and is designing Phonebloks using an “open platform.” This means Hakkens hands over his ideas to other companies, and he invites them to develop components or programs for the device. It is a typical plan for the internet age, where information is free and available for everyone.

Hakkens is a master of using social media, and he is generating enormous interest in his project. Recently, he uploaded a video of the Phonebloks concept on YouTube. It is a short, lively introduction to the project, and in a short time, Hakkens has had hits from around the world, with 20,000,000 views. He also regularly posts updates on his blog and on Facebook to tell people about the progress of his big idea.

1. Phonebloks are on sale now.

2. Phonebloks can help protect the environment.

3. Phonebloks phones often break.

Which statements are true?