What is Project Ara
When it comes to mobile phones, Google's focus has traditionally been on software, with its hardware involvement limited to working with phone manufacturers on its Nexus range of devices.
But now Google is ramping up its involvement in the physical-side of mobility Project Ara. This promises to make the smart/phone modular, allowing users to have the phone they want without the bits they don’t.
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What is a modular smartphone?
What is a Project Ara smartphone like?
How will people get parts for the phone?
Who is developing smartphones for Project Ara?
When and where will it be released? How much will it cost?
What are the problems?
What other companies are involved?
What is a modular smartphone?
Smartphones tend nowadays to be monolithic, meaning that you can't even change the battery without an effort (we're looking at you Apple and Samsung!). Google wants to take this trend the other way and make a phone that is highly customisable, not only in terms of software but hardware as well.
Users would buy the frame or barebones of the phone and then add parts such as the processor, memory, storage, battery, and camera. The user chooses the parts they want in the phone rather than the manufacturer.
Also as better parts become available or parts stop functioning, it would be easy to swap these out rather than replacing the whole phone.
What is a Project Ara smartphone like?
The smartphones will be built by inserting modules into a metal frame known as an "Endo" or endoskeleton, which Google would make this frame and this would link all the other modules together. The frame is expected to cost around $15 to buy.
Two frames will be available; a "mini" and a "medium" frame. A "large" frame will be available in the future. The mini will be roughly the size of a Nokia 3310, the medium the size of an LG Nexus 5, and the large around the size of a Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
There will be a slot in the front for a display and various slots at the back for the individual modules, which will be hot-swappable so the phone can remain powered on (the frame sports a backup battery). Modules are said to be held in place with magnets.
How will people get parts for Project Ara?
The modules will be available from an official Google store or from third parties. Ara smartphones would only accept official modules by default, but like Android, a software setting can be change to allow unofficial modules.
Who is developing smartphones for Project Ara?
Project Ara is being developed by Google's Advanced Technologies and Products division (ATAP), which is headed up by ex-DARPA employees Regina Dugan and Paul Eremenko.
According a report from The Verge, ATAP uses the "DARPA model of innovation" which seeks to use new technology to pursue practical goals, rather than indulge in pure research or rehashing old ideas into new forms. There are only a few permanent members of ATAP with outside contractors making up the bulk of the workforce. ATAP has also been working with modular specialist Phone blocks to get the idea off the ground.
When and where will Project Ara be released? How much will it cost?
Google said at its first Project Ara developer conference that it planned to release the device in January of this year with the base price of phone set at $50. This is grey-coloured phone, known as "Spiral 2", sports 3G connectivity out of the box and is aimed at encouraging users to customising the handset.
While the supposed January launch date has been and gone, according to Project Ara's Google+ page, the phones are still set to launch in Puerto Rico some time this year. Puerto Rico was chosen by Google as around 77 per cent of the population uses the internet on their phones and also has a poor landline infrastruture, meaning most people use a mobile as their sole means of telecommunication
What are the problems?
The main challenge seems to be Google getting this out of the door. With the January release date having been and gone without a firm alternative being given, a 2015 launch looks in danger of slipping completely.
Also, while the base phone is pretty cheap, the cost of the modules will soon rack up and users could end up with a DIY phone that is considerably more expensive than a normal smartphone.
With various manufacturers producing modules, there is also no guarantee that these will play together nicely, if at all. Customers would also have to be mindful of the fact that certain combinations may not be optimal. A slow processor may not function well with a top-of-the-range display, while energy guzzling modules won't make for a good experience if paired with a poor battery. Also, the modular design of the phone means it is likely not waterproof.
What other companies are involved?
Google has been working with Marvell and Nvidia to create a couple of reference designs for the phones. Toshiba is known to be building modules for the phone, including a set of processors and a 5-megapixel camera. Additionally, Yezz, a company that works exclusively on Project Ara, is said to be producing 20 or 30 modules for when the smartphone launches.
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