google finally announces concrete plans for project ara modular smartphone platform
all images courtesy of google
google released a quick preview showcasing the potential of their upcoming ‘project ara’ modular smartphone. the video exhibits an updated frame with durable latches and connectors to keep modules secured. each piece is designed around ‘greybus’ -software that supports instantaneous connections, power efficiency and data transfer rates of up to 11.9 Gbps. this allows them to work with new generations of frames and new form factors.
each ‘ara’ frame contains the CPU, GPU, antennas, sensors, battery and display
each ‘ara’ frame contains the CPU, GPU, antennas, sensors, battery and display, freeing up more room for hardware in each module. google is looking to module makers to create technology never before seen on smartphones. with that in mind, the company is also at work on an open marketplace to connect the next generation of ideas with the broader ‘ara’ community. most importantly, google finally announced that ‘project ara’ will begin shipping developer editions of the smartphone in the fall 2016 with plans for mass-market in 2017.
the newly designed connectors for each module
this project has a long history, with origins beginning with designer dave hakkens’ ‘phonebloks‘ to motorola being the first major company to implement the idea and then finally google purchasing the platform a year later. designboom will continue to track the progress as it finally reaches the public in 2017.
the updated logo for google’s ‘project ara’
google is preparing modules for the first series of smartphones
one module includes a stand for taking photographs
each ‘ara’ frame will have five slots
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I don’t get it… Do people really want little pieces that they can easily lose or might they rather have the pieces included to begin with? I know I don’t want a Lego phone.
I guess this one is not for you then, the great thing is : no one will ever force you to get one! ^^
At least they’re thinking of the fish by making them bite size.
In response to Stephen Jones,
I have connections to Google, and the impression I was given that was each phone would come with several basic pieces, such as a camera, additional battery, and basic speaker. More advanced pieces could be purchased separately, both from Google and external developers.
Also, when buying the phone online, you could choose which pieces and colors you would like to include in your phone.
Hope this helps!
I think there’s something really cool about this. I can’t wait to see how it comes together.
love it! finally!
Great of for me. I’m on the go and live a the beach.
How do I apply to be a beta tester? I’m very, very good at breaking things and software– I don’t even have to try, it just happens/
I think it’s quite interesting the potential to attach third party “physical apps” to it. Think about a bread board talking to an internal software, or a music keyboard or synthesizer… It’s more about a portable microprocessor with full controllers than about a phone.
most ppl won’t like it ，i guess，but i love it！！