News on Google's Project Ara modular smartphone first broke out in late 2013, with the device envisioned to allow users to switch around components of the smartphone. Project Ara will have a basic phone structure, and users will be able to add and remove modules such as batteries, keyboards and sensors.
Until now, the device is not yet ready to be launched into the market, and with Google stated in August last year that Project Ara would arrive in 2016 instead of the original plan of 2015. The delay in its release has given way for other manufacturers to launch their own modular smartphones, with the LG G5 currently being the most prominent one, and fans might be wondering if Project Ara will ever see the light of day.
The bad news is that Project Ara has been further delayed. The good news, however, is that the project is still in full swing, with developer units ready to be released this fall and a consumer launch pegged for next year.
The information was revealed in the session held by Google's Advanced Technology and Products division at the annual I/O conference. During the session, ATAP revealed the latest prototypes that have been created for Project Ara, which look simpler and more beautiful compared to the prototypes that have been seen in the past. The modules also feature different finishes and textures, which would allow users to customize their Project Ara devices in both functionality and aesthetics.
The prototype has six slots for users to swap modules into, with the modules kept in place through a new latch system. The modules connect to the device through the Greybus software of Google, which allows the modules to instantly connect with Android. This gives Project Ara the feature of hot-swapping modules, which means users do not need to power down the device to remove and attach different components. To detach a module, users can issue voice commands through the Ara app or through OK Google.
For the first iteration of the device, Google has decided to place Project Ara's processor in its frame instead of turning it into a module. While this prevents the capability to further upgrade the processor through a swapping of modules, the decision simplifies a lot of things so that Google would be able to hit the launch dates it has stated.
A spokeswoman for Google said feedback from both developers and consumers have been valuable to the Project Ara team in making necessary changes to the smartphone, including the installation of more technology in the device's frame to free up space for more modules.
Rick Osterloh, Google's hardware chief, said the company could make the base device by itself, though it could also decide to tap a hardware partner for the manufacturing process such as how the company has worked with its Nexus smartphones.
No price has yet been set for the device, though users eagerly waiting for Project Ara's release would most likely focus on its release date. If all goes as planned, the modular smartphone will be in the hands of consumers next year.
