Google Ara
Project Ara was a modular smartphone project under development by Google. The project was originally headed by the Advanced Technology and Projects team within Motorola Mobility while it was a Google subsidiary. Google retained the ATAP group when selling Motorola to Lenovo, and it was placed under the stewardship of the Android development staff; Ara was later split off as an independent operation.
Under its original design, Project Ara was intended to consist of hardware modules providing common smartphone components, such as processors, displays, batteries, and cameras, as well as modules providing more specialized components, and "frames" that these modules were to be attached to. This design would allow a device to be upgraded over time with new capabilities and upgraded specifications without requiring the purchase of an entire new device, providing a longer lifecycle for the device and potentially reducing electronic waste. However, by 2016, the concept had been revised, resulting in a base phone with non-upgradable core components, and modules providing supplemental features.
Google planned to launch a new developer version of Ara in the fourth quarter of 2016, with a target bill of materials cost of $50 for a basic phone, leading into a planned consumer launch in 2017. However, on September 2, 2016, Reuters reported that two non-disclosed sources leaked that the Alphabet's manufacture of frames had been cancelled, and may be licensed to third parties; and that a spokesman declined to comment on the rumours.
Structure and features
| Frame | Size | Rear module slots |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 118 × 45 × 9.7 mm (4.65 × 1.77 × 0.38 in) | 2 × 5 |
| Medium | 141 × 68 × 9.7 mm (5.55 × 2.68 × 0.38 in) | 3 × 6 |
| Large | 164 × 91 × 9.7 mm (6.46 × 3.58 × 0.38 in) | 4 × 7 |
The Project Ara concept consisted of modules inserted into metal endoskeletal frames known as "endos". The frame would be the only component manufactured by Google.The frame was the switch to the on-device network linking all the modules together.
Each frame was expected to cost around US$15.The data from the modules can be transferred at up to 10 gigabits/sec per connection. The 2×2 modules have two connections and will allow up to 20 gigabits/sec.
According to me it is an amazing smartphone ever if launched.
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