During last showcase of Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP), a first prototype of "Project Ara" device has been revealed to a room full of developers.
This project is aimed to redefine the concept of as-we-know-smartphones by creating a modular device customizable and easy to fix by customers.
Regardless of its aspect, Google has shown an extremely early prototype of the first moduled smartphone that gives us a good glance ot what we can expect by this incredible project.
The Ara consist of a metallic esosckeleton with slots for replaceable components called modules. This modules can include averything (display, processor, RAM, WiFi module, Power jack, baseband, ...). Each module will connect trhough pins and sticked togheter with magnets that will act like toggle switch to turn the element on and off.
The esockeleton will be sold in trhee different dimension (small, medium and large), wth different numbers of pins to use.
The aim of the project is not only to let the customer build from the scratch its onw device, but will also deeply change the emerging markets (5billion people on Earth) who own a phoone but cannot afford anything more expensive.
Project Ara is halfway through a 2 years mission, and will be ready to go this time next year.
"It's not going to be easy, but the journey will be fascinating to watch."
