Remember Project Ara? Google’s experimental modular phone? Well, that device will soon be available for purchase as the company reveals that the consumer version is expected to go into circulation in 2017.
The Project Ara smartphone has had a rather shaky history when it comes to its development of course. From failed demos to cancelled prototype programs, Google’s attempt at creating a modular smartphone has been one full of trial and error. So it was kind of a surprise to find out that Ara will be an actual purchasable product by next year, assuming that nothing else goes wrong for the smartphone.
As for what to expect from Ara, Google has quite noticably toned down some aspects of the modular smartphone. When it was first announced, Ara was going to allow you to swap out components such as the processor, allowing you to customised the phone much like a desktop. Now though, all of the main hardware is built into the phone. While you can’t exactly future-proof the Ara, you can instead opt to customize the features on your phone. Some of the modules that were displayed at the event includes an E-Ink display, a speaker, a camera, and an expanded memory module.
“OK Google, eject the camera.” Now that’s what I want in a modular phone. Assuming it only recognizes me, that is! pic.twitter.com/y7gzXpkL8l
— Sean Hollister (@StarFire2258) May 20, 2016
While the consumer version of the Ara won’t be available till next year, the Project Ara Developer Edition is expected to ship out this fall. Will the Ara become the next big deal in a market that has been steadily growing stale for the past few years? Only time will tell.
Source: CNet