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GOOGLE’S PLAN TO create a cheap smartphone that can be built from the ground up has already started with Project Ara, but now you will be able to swap parts while the phone is still running.
The project director for Arak, Paul Eremenko explained how anyone using a Project Ara phone will be able to swap any modules, such as WiFi, camera, and sensors, without turning it off.
The only two modules you won’t be able to swap out without turning the phone off are the CPU and the display.
This is made possible by using a modified version of Android L, the next update of Google’s OS, which is being developed in collaboration with Linaro, a non-profit engineering organisation which mainly works on free and open-source software.
Project Ara is a modular smartphone that is put together using blocks, held together using electro-permanent magnets, which represent certain hardware features like the battery, camera and other sensors.
It was originally started by Motorola more than a year ago and teamed up with Phonebloks to help further develop the project.
When part of Motorola was sold off to Lenovo for $2.91 billion, the company’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) division merged with Google and continued working on the project.
The first fully functional prototype will be shown off at the second Ara developer conference in December, with the launch taking place in early 2015.
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I’ll be abandoning Apple for this modular phone as soon as they’re on sale in Ireland and I need a new model. I love the scope of customisation so much. It’ll be the second smartphone revolution.
At least you can reuse its components if you bend it.
Why would you bend your phone? That seems like a stupid thing to do.
Bending IPhone’s is now become the latest I Store fad.
Like I said, a stupid thing to do.
I agree with David, who stores their phone in their pocket these days? Bloody plebs
I see you haven’t been keeping up to date, but the whole bending thing? Totally blown out of proportion. 9 complaints out of 10 million phones. Some dumbasses on youtube bending an aliminium phone with all their might isn’t quite the same as phones bending in your front pocket.
David Fortune . I gather you work for Apple.
Coming soon to your local IStore.
The Apple iMessenger Bag. A “gender neutral” carrying bag for your iphone 6 plus.
The Apple iCargo Skinny Jeans. Your trendy skinny jeans with a oversized heavily padded cargo pocket on the side.
9 complaints according to Apple and the tests that have run since have been in room temperature conditions when the problem was apparently caused by it warming up in your pocket. I agree that it’s probably blown out of proportion but there are claims of very slight bends appearing to the extent that it rocks on a flat surface which sound more credible.
Given Apple’s recent history of teething problems with new devices and software such as the iPhone 4S which had white lines and yellow spots appearing on the screen when it released, it might have been the 4S or the 5 that displayed full coverage when it actually had none and of course the recent OS update which tanked the phone’s reception, I wouldn’t be completely surprised if there was some substance to this bendgate issue.
Nope, I don’t work for Apple. I am a very, vey happy Apple customer though. I’ve had the 6 plus since it launched on the 19th and SHOCKINGLY it hasn’t bent in my pocket.
And yes Leopold, 9 complaints according to Apple. They COULD lie, but I don’t think it’s in their interest to be so specific with a lie. And seriously, so many sites and companies have tried to replicate the bending and none have managed it. It’s just the media over hyping a non-existant issue.
This will do wonders for the prices of phones if you can cut out all the features that you don’t make much use of.
The robbing bas***ds! They’ve just stole the phonebloks idea..
https://phonebloks.com/en
Someone didn’t read the article…they’re working with phonebloks. Says so right there.
Lol @ Daniel
Phonebloks had the idea about 2 years ago so they are jumping on their bandwagon and taking the credit. I read the article, thanks
You obviously can’t put 2 and 2 together Daniel:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/29/5041336/motorola-project-ara-modular-smartphones
jigsaw puzzle
“built from the ground up has already with Project Ara, but”
This makes no sense and shows a lack of average grammar levels. Much like every other journalist on this website.
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