Google's modular assembly smartphone project can make you feel the most perfect mobile phone. However, this mobile phone will not be available this year, and will officially start in 2015.
Project Ara is part of the Advanced Technology and Projects (Atap) group. This team is part of Google staying in the process of selling Motorola to Lenovo, and this project hopes to create an open source smartphone hardware platform. Users can start with an inner tray, add or replace other smart modules at will.
These modules can be camera, batteries, wireless radios, or anything that can be made. These unplugable modules allow users to easily order the perfect mobile phones in their minds. For example, for long-term mobile phone users, you can add more battery modules; if you are mainly used to take pictures, you can install the best camera module.
These modules will be manufactured by the developer through the MDK just released. This mobile phone project works very much for consumers and developers. The following is the information currently understanding Project ARA.
Stage: The current start phase can be said to be early. But basic payments should be available within 2015.
Price: Google hopes to produce a cost-class mobile phone that is about $ 50 in $ 50 into the market. PROJECT ARA person in charge Paul Eremenko pointed out that the final retail price will be mainly determined by the manufacturer. In addition, Google plans to launch a high-end mobile phone with a cost of about $ 500. However, remember that these two numbers are cost rather than retail prices.
Size: Google shows medium-sized prototypes, basically, and the iPhone and Samsung S5 size is similar. On the product road map, there is a mini version of the phone, and there is also a small number of mobile phones.
Module: Each functional module will be connected to the bones of the mobile phone through electromagnets, called Endo. When the electromagnet is opened, the ENDO and modules are tightly joined together, and when the electromagnet is turned off, the electromagnetic force will disappear. Electromagnet does not require continuous charging to maintain attraction. These modules are made through the just released MDK, whether it is a camera, an antenna battery or a processor, any module that can access the ENDO housing can generate. The outer casing can be printed by a 3D printer.
Purchase method: Google will establish another online mall outside Google Play. And purchase applications, you can also purchase these modules online. Other ways to go later, maybe Google will start to do line experience stores.
Android upgrade: Currently, Android does not support the modular system, but it will be supported immediately, and it is expected to be released earlier in 2015.
Prototype: September this year, official prototypes will be displayed. The prototypes displayed at the conference in the two days have no electromagnet function, and only the various modules are fixed with the clip. The power bus is also developed.
Multipurpose module: As long as the developer is so powerful, a module can support any of the functions. A display module can also be used as a small battery to supplement power. As long as it is suitable for insert into the slot, there is no problem.
Consumers: Project ARA Smartphone's expected life is around five to six years - far exceeds current smartphones. In the past two years, people will now change their mobile phones, and now you can just change the latest modules. The final goal is that when there is a new processor or a new high-pixel camera, there will be a corresponding module to make Ara mobile phone users to buy. In addition, if your phone is partially damaged, if you break the screen, just replace the corresponding part.
Developer: Module system allows developers to make any device and insert them directly into the phone without designing a third party hardware. It eliminates a variety of industrial design elements, and there is no need to take a variety of complex Bluetooth or wireless standards to connect with their own phones. Any functional module, as long as it can be made, you can use it.
Google blocks the future of consumers will upgrade the function, not on the phone; they also want to be able to put the ARA Phone's basic version into the hands of future users. If developers began to make a variety of modules, then your future mobile phone will become a tall toy, not a piece of brick.
Related Reading:
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