Google Reveals More About Its Project Ara Smartphone [Video]

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Posted April 4, 2014 at 5:39pm by Shalom Levytam

Google has revealed some more details about its upcoming Project Ara smartphone in a behind the scenes video posted yesterday.

Project Ara is an initiative by Google to develop a free, open hardware platform for creating highly modular smartphones. Users would be able to swap out hardware components such as the display, keyboard, or battery to keep their device updated with the latest technology. This would also allow for easy repairs, extending the lifetime of the handset.

In the video, we learn that Ara's team has developed a way to keep the modules in place using electro-permanent magnets. They've also decided not to hide the module/block aesthetic.

Google has planned a series of three Ara Developers Conferences throughout 2014. The first of these, scheduled for April 15-16, will focus on the alpha release of the Ara Module Developers Kit (MDK).

Take a look at the video below for more details on the project.

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dylchills - April 6, 2014 at 1:56pm

This project is awesome. ok i mean look at this way lets say a new phone comes out and u want a specific thing on it instead of paying 200-600$ u pay like 50-100 wouldnt that be better

Owen Densmore - April 6, 2014 at 3:20pm

Just to be clear, I think its a great Idea. I hope it liberates Google from the horrible Unholy Trinity. I hope they stick to it and make Android rule.

Owen Densmore - April 6, 2014 at 3:12am

Tough to believe Google can do this. For a company that kills 1 out of 3 projects, and the rest are in beta, it really is hard to think they'll do it. Finally. They are caught in the Unholy triangle of 1) OS producer, 2) Cellular provider, and 3) Handset manufacturer. They have done well at 1, although they let 2 & 3 piss all over their product. If they can succeed with 1 and 3, they gotta chance. But I'm skeptical. Until Android is truly a standard, think ECMA, they are not in control. -- Owen

codyt - April 5, 2014 at 5:52pm

They all have macbooks.Lame.Even Google wouldn't be so nice without Apple

Thabet - April 4, 2014 at 11:32pm

This is the future. Imagine that your phone will stay with you for 5 to 10 years. The same phone, but upgradable. This is really happening and supported by Google.

Bugged Out - April 5, 2014 at 2:58pm

"supported by Google" there's an oxymoron.

Guest - April 4, 2014 at 7:40pm

Now our apple has something to copy after long time. Go in and produce one similar and take patent and then fight with same company :) ROFL

gamerscul9870 - April 4, 2014 at 6:16pm

Why have something vunderable if there care already secure ones that already run by Google? Little too late!