[android] Motorola Announces "Project Ara", a modular phone hardware platform

[Arthur]

Wow!

 

Source: Motorola (via Ars Technica)

 

Motorola has announced a free, open hardware platform for smartphones called "Project Ara." The goal is to create a modular smartphone that would allow users to swap hardware components at will. Motorola says it wants to "do for hardware what the Android platform has done for software: create a vibrant third-party developer ecosystem, lower the barriers to entry, increase the pace of innovation, and substantially compress development timelines."

 

Project Ara consists of an "endoskeleton" case and various hardware modules. Similar to a desktop computer case, the endoskeleton would provide slots for different modules. According to Motorola, "a module can be anything, from a new application processor to a new display or keyboard, an extra battery, a pulse oximeter—or something not yet thought of!" Pictures show a case with spots for rectangular inserts. Each slot has metal contacts that connect the insert to the rest of the phone.

 

Motorola is teaming up with Phonebloks, a company with a similar idea, to make this a reality. Motorola is letting enthusiasts sign up to be "Ara Scout." Scouts are interested members of the community who can give feedback and share ideas about the design. The most active members will get free devices when Project Ara launches, which Motorola says should be about a year from now.

 

When Google bought Motorola a year and a half ago, everyone wondered what the search giant would do with a hardware company. It looks like its big plan has been revealed. If the idea takes off, modular cell phones could change the industry. Motorola has a lot of work to do first, though.

 

 

[Rawns]

Awww nice! I was looking at the Phonebloc site only a few days ago thinking how awesome it sounds! It's nice to hear that it's actually going to become a reality now!

[6Foot2]

[Arthur]

Ara-based smartphones will be available to buy in January 2015.

 

Google pledges January launch for Project Ara « Bit-tech

 

Google held its first Project Ara developers' conference this week, and CNET reports that it offered a timeline to commercialisation: the first Project Ara Endo will be on sale, barring any major setbacks along the way, in January next year for just $50. It will be joined by a range of component modules, although the specification and pricing for these has not yet been confirmed.

 

Google also outlined fabrication hardware for the modules themselves, developed in conjunction with academic and business partners and taking the form of large-scale 3D printers capable of working with conductive materials. More details on these will be provided at the next conference in July.

 

[6Foot2]

Project Ara "competitor"

 

Link: PuzzlePhone easily repairable and upgradeable mobile phone

 

http://i.snag.gy/rsRzb.jpg

 

With two changeable components possibly not as modular as Ara after all?

[6Foot2]

Link: Google's modular Project Ara smartphone will begin pilot testing in Puerto Rico later this year | The Verge

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=intua_p4kE0

[Arthur]

^ Looks good!

[6Foot2]

 

Project Ara is a new modular computing platform, allowing devices to be customized for style and function. Choose your high-res camera, add a louder speaker, swap in a better battery. Imagine the possibilities. And we’re releasing a developer kit with device later this year. Check for updates here: g.co/ara and follow us on twitter @ProjectAra.

 

Link: Ara

[6Foot2]

Link: Re-think project Ara [by Dave Hakkens, the creator of Phonebloks]

 

...it is amazing how far they come and how they are pushing the limits. But as being one of the most powerful companies in the world with a serious amount of resources available I also think they could do better. Don’t focus on making the next phone that sells, but focus on making the future phone...

[6Foot2]

Link: Everything about Project Ara - Google's modular smartphone

[6Foot2]

Link: Exclusive: Google shelves plan for phone with interchangeable parts - sources | Reuters

 

...While Google will not be releasing the phone itself, the company may work with partners to bring Project Ara’s technology to market, potentially through licensing agreements, one of the people with knowledge of the matter said.

 

Axing Project Ara is one of the first steps in a campaign to unify Google’s various hardware efforts, which range from Chromebook laptops to Nexus phones. Former Motorola president Rick Osterloh rejoined Google earlier this year to oversee the effort. Google sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo Group in 2014...

[Arthur]

Exclusive: Project ARA specifications, design and photos

 

As revealed a few days back, we’ve managed to get our hands on Google’s Project ARA modular smartphone. We’ve started compiling all the questions you’ve sent in and will answer most of them in an upcoming Q&A article and video. Today, we’re sharing a full list of specifications (those that we know about) and 40 images which show off the phone’s design.