In an effort to give users a phone that they can customize, Google is set to sell a modular type of mobile phone by next year. This technological leap has been planned years ago but will only be realized in the months to come.
In a teaser of the so-called Project Ara, Google showed a phone that can be easily customized based on the taste of a user. Phone parts like cameras, speakers and even health-related accessories can easily be snapped on the device depending on what the user wants with his or her smartphone.
USA Today said the company could make the developer's kit available this fall while the consumer kit could be available in 2017. This comes two years after the prototype for this project was launched at the I/O developer conference.
A variety of Ara modules
It was explained in the same report that the idea for this new technology is that users can simply put Ara modules on the phones to help them improve its usability and do various tasks. These modules include cameras, microphones, music players, speakers and other useful mobile accessories for the owner.
Google hopes that with this device, users will be able to make tweaks on their device without spending a lot or buying a new phone or device for another purpose. There will also be no need for additional hardware because Ara modules can simply be inserted.
Vision for the future
According to The Wall Street Journal, this project is one Google's great releases in the coming years. "Ara is our vision for the future of phones," said Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group head Dan Kaufman.
This upcoming phone will reportedly run on Android with the base which could be made by Google or another hardware partner. There is still no definite price for the phone but earlier reports said the base of the smartphone could cost around $50.
