Google will stop developing the Ara Project, which proposed to create a phone with interchangeable components; how are the other betting industry advancing this concept
Google suspended its Ara Project, the initiative that sought to create a modular smartphone, with components interchangeable style conventional desktop pCs. At least that Reuters says: no official word about it, but the ad is not surprising; The course of this idea, which began when Motorola was still part of the company, was slow and tortuous.
The last known officially Ara Project was that the initial sale of the basic system (one sort of backbone to the modules with the processor were added, camera, screen, battery, etc.) had stopped, and that developers had changed their powerful commitment to a more basic: to create a phone (screen, processor, antennas and battery) and leave grooves in the back to complement its other functions, which come in the form of module. . All this, at least for now, is braking, although according to Reuters Google still working to find partners that will realize some of the ideas of Ara project
So I showed a few months ago:
the phone designed by Google in the ARA Project
This does not mean that the concept of modular smartphone has disappeared, but the problems to transform them into something massive not been overcome at all: there are at least three companies that continue with this ambitious idea, and two others who bet on something much more limited, but so much more feasible. That, beyond that in all cases remains an idea that, for now, is directed at a very small market group.
Flexible and rigid at the same time
of the ideas behind a modular smartphone (or an electronics device modular consumption, as proposed in the phonebloks community) is the possibility of updating the long term, it keeps alive the PC classic desk, a standard cabinet in which multiple pieces are assembled, all with standard connectors. Achieving this, however, carries a penalty: these connectors prevent achieving the remarkable miniaturization achieved today a notebook or a standard smartphone
Also potentially raise the cost of components, open the door to incompatibilities. , problems with drivers, and so on. And forced to make a design that should last over time, precisely so that these modules serve for several generations of the same device. An example: Lenovo promised to maintain compatibility modules Moto line Z for three years will not change its overall size, the camera position. But if, as it seems dual-lens cameras become more popular, Lenovo must find a way to place them in the same space. Or do without them, and then investing in that family of devices (and accessories) less attractive. Apple phones, for example, retain the design for two or three generations (if the iPhone SE and theoretical iPhone 7 account), which facilitates the sale of covers, and so on.
benefits are also clear: a modular system allows a gradual upgrade, such as improving the camera but keep the screen, which is good enough; reduce the economic impact to the user, since it is possible to change a piece, and only one (because it has no money for more, or because it is the one which was damaged); electronic waste generated each year is reduced.
best example of this (and proof that the system can be possible) is Fairphone, a firm that sells sustainable smartphones, thus providing materials for components (which should come from regions where its mining does not generate conflicts ) and for its replacement: the entire phone, and many of its internal parts can be replaced by removing a screw. Does it come out a better camera? If Fairphone-and manufactures the module maintains the same size- may replace the old in a few minutes. The same, of course, if the screen or the audio connector, and so broke. The counter is a bulkier than usual phone, but for many the power to extend the life of the phone is well worth it. Fairphone already has two generations in the street and 100,000 units sold (a very small number in a market of 1.6 billion phones a year, but significant for the size of the company behind).
The other modular project that of Puzzlephone, with a three-similar to the last iteration of the project Ara parts: fewer options for change, but easier to achieve. The base is the processor, memory and camera; the “spine” is the screen and the rest of the housing; The third module is the battery, which will eventually allow more alternatives. The fundamental difference, of course, is that it is not yet for sale: the company explained last Tuesday that financing problems the first teams will not be ready this year, as expected, and must wait until next year to reach the first interested .
Puzzlephone, with a three-similar to the last iteration of the project Ara
There are two more companies, of course, they are on the same topic: LG and Lenovo. Although talk of modules, both chose, rather, to standardize a set of accessories to join the phone with a classic case more than integration. They are modular phones because they can not change its components. But the whole idea to achieve some control over accessories. It is an idea very niche: presupposes that someone is willing to buy a phone and also an accessory (such as external speakers) which is not cheap and it works only with that phone. It is a very large demonstration of confidence by the user, to find alternatives for many of these functions in a Bluetooth accessory, a similar or lower price; the price of these modules ranges from $ 50 to $ 300, depending on the function.
Modular accessories LG and Lenovo
in fact, the modular accessories work on two phones LG (LG 2 versions of the G5, which is sold in our country and a more modest); those of Lenovo in the three Moto Z presented so far. Both companies say they retain compatibility with two additional generations of phones; if someone buys today an accessory for LG Moto G5 or Z, it can be used in two successors. The problem, of course, is is what happens if those two successors are not good
Implementations by both companies are also different. The LG requires turn off the phone, remove the base, remove the battery and insert the accessory bring. The presented so far. Some external speakers Bang & amp; Olufsen, and grip camera with button physical shot additional to the phone, as had the special case of Lumia 1020 battery
in the case of Lenovo, modular accessories are put and take “sticking” on the back of the phone , where they are in position thanks to magnets; no need to turn off the phone, which is an advantage over the design of LG, however small. The options available for the three Moto Z (the standard, the Force version and the Play brand announced this week) ranging from a Hasselblad camera with 10x optical zoom up covered with colors, textures and different materials (one of the most popular elements of the Moto X line) through external speakers JBL a pico to create a cinema anywhere (a concept that Samsung also explored without success, although with limitations), and external batteries. The latter are an interesting case: its raison d’etre is that the Z Moto Original, the most sophisticated of the three of them has a thickness of 5.2 mm, which limits its battery at 2800 mAh; Moto Z Play has a thickness of 7 mm (perfectly acceptable by today’s standards) and a battery of 3510 mAh, more than enough for normal daily use.
A third company is Nexpaq, led by Dan Makoski, former leader Google Project Ara; It provides a cover for iPhone 6 / 6S, Galaxy S5 / S6 / Notes and the original OnePlus, and allows adding new components to this case; It has 12 modules, such as an extra battery, speakers, a temperature sensor and humidity, laser, memory card reader, programmable buttons, and so on. And achieved a quarter of a million dollars in funding after a campaign in Kickstarter.
A third company is Nexpaq, led by Dan Makoski
These companies say they are working with others to create more accessories that take advantage of their respective modular systems and to extend the appeal have so far. The Lenovo run with an edge, beyond the connection system: covers with colors, wood, etc., they provide additional respect of LG, and are cheaper: there is already covered for $ 15. This can help to popularize the idea of adding extras on the phone with a magnet, but for investments larger still require something fundamental and harder to get: A long-term bet for a specific phone model since they do not serve, for example, to a phone on the same line, but with a different screen size
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