Google's future phone: The modular Project Ara (Looks incredible)

[Godhumor]

Via CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/16/tech/mobile/google-project-ara/



Google is jumping into its next futuristic hardware project. This time it's a modular smartphone dubbed Project Ara that can be customized by swapping out individual pieces, such as the battery and the camera.

The company previewed the very early-stage project at a developer event in Santa Clara, California, this week. Google said the first version of the phone will likely be available in early 2015. Though the company didn't mention a sale price, it said the devices would cost anywhere from $50 to $500 to manufacture, depending on the model.

The phone will come in three sizes, ranging from mini to "phablet," and it will run on a future version of the Android mobile operating system. A frame called the Endo will hold the interchangeable components together with magnets.

...

Because the Ara project is open-source, the fun will be adding third-party modules or even printing your own with a 3D printer. Instead of relying on a single hardware manufacturer, people could shop around and add unusual elements made by startups, cameras produced by camera companies, or custom hardware for highly specialized work phones.

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Actual website of the product is at http://www.projectara.com/

If this works as advertised and is built, this is a game-changer. If it comes out in 2015, as promised, it will be the replacement for my Moto X. I think it will be amusing to see Apple and Samsung playing catch up for once.

[msongs]

1. not only can it read your mail and copy your calls, it can read your mind. thk google nt

[bhikkhu]

2. I love the idea myself

I always thought the PC should have been developed this way (having built my first computer in '93), and I think microsoft and IBM missed a big opportunity many years ago, choosing to shut out outside developers and predetermine the options to the customer.

Whatever flaws google may have, this is a great way for them to build on their position, gaining markets by opening up to a wider community of development and being more useful .

[Egnever]

3. What do you think

of your Moto X?

I spend a lot of time in my car and I absolutely adore mine. Most amazing phone I have ever owned.

This new project looks really interesting.

[Godhumor]

5. Best phone I have ever owned

Seeing the bones of the Moto X in Ara only make me more excited.

[callous taoboy]

6. Can you elaborate?

I am still using my old flip phone (I know, I know) and have been thinking about making the jump, but everyone seems to love whichever phone they have, so I have no idea what to get. Why do you like moto x so much? TIA.

[Egnever]

8. Well it is a big jump from a flip phone to a smart phone,

But as far as the moto x goes. Mostly I love it because I spend a lot of time in my car and this phone was designed to be as hands free as possible.

It has a processor dedicated to speech recognition and it is always listening for your prompts. So it can be sitting on the table and i can say "ok google now remind me to buy milk when i am at smiths" it will set a reminder and when i get near the smiths (grocery store) the reminder will pop up.

It also uses what it knows to help me out. If i am driving in the car the gps allows it to know this and i can set it to do thing automatically when i am driving. For example when i get a text while driving it will announce it and ask me if i want to hear the text or ignore it. I can set it so that it just automatically responds to texts or calls while driving with a text message saying whatever i want.

When a call comes in and i am driving it says "Call from ...." and asks do i want to answer or ignore. If I say "answer" it will automatically answer and put it on speaker.

It pays attention to my calendar and automatically silences itself when I am in a scheduled meeting.

It does other things as well i can twist the phone back and forth in my hand and the camera will open automatically and be ready to take a photo from locked.

It shows notifications for events that come in on the lock screen and i can swipe directly to them.

It is just a well designed phone and interface, it makes my life easier in many different ways and has good battery life as well.

There are lots of reviews on it though that go into a lot of detail. It might not be the phone for you but I just love the damn thing.

[callous taoboy]

9. I appreciate the thorough review.

I drive limo wine tours and get calls / texts from my boss. Maybe this is the phone for me. Again, thanks!

[VScott]

4. Which module has the NSA/FBI backdoor key?

[Godhumor]

7. Giving a little bump to what I really think is an innovative product n/t

[cyberswede]

10. So, do you have to carry all those little parts around with you?

Not sure I get the point of swapping out parts...

[Godhumor]

11. no you don't carry parts

Most practically there are two big applications: swapping out particular features that are important to you (upgrading the camera, changing to a higher resolution display, etc) and being able to replace broken parts easily (cracked screens, broken microphones, etc).

The customization aspect will have a lot of users, but the extension of a phone as a high end piece from 2 years or less to five years plus is huge.

[cyberswede]

12. Thanks!

I still have a flip phone. LOL