We all wished that we could simply upgrade our smartphones just like we do with our PC's. Well, those wishes might soon become a reality. Meet Project Ara, the Android smartphone project.
It is run out of the Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP). Project Ara proposes that our phones should be upgradable to the needs and desires of the consumer, and not accept whatever the manufacturer thinks people want.
If you are unfamiliar with the concept, here's what we all know about the DIY smartphone that would soon become a reality.
The Project Ara Prototype
The smartphone is still a prototype. Ara is basically a rectangular frame that consists of smaller rectangular buckets on the back. Those rectangular subdivisions on the back are the circuit boards and contacts. These are the subdivisions where you slide in the rectangular bricks, or modules. Each brick/block is different - one is for the camera, another is for a processor or a RAM, etc.
You can even slide in the screen you want and also add other specialized equipment, for instance a medical or gaming add-on. If you want a smaller or larger phone, you will have to purchase the appropriate rectangular frame (they call it Endoskeleton).
Should You Care About This?
It depends. If you ever wanted a better camera in your smartphone, or a better processor but you just do not have the ability to upgrade it, then you definitely should care about Ara because it is the ultimate way to customize your phone according to your needs.
You can choose every module, where it is placed, and select the color and a visual design. According to CNET, this freedom of customization brings tremendous flexibility to phone owners in terms of both, the specs and the cost.
The most exciting part about this project, is the flexibility to swap specialized components, or even just upgrade the existing components. Say you didn't had enough money to buy that high-end screen, but now you've saved up and you can go ahead and purchase the screen module you want and then replace it. Or if you want, you can throw in a better camera or a heart-rate monitor if you are in the gym, or running.
