Most Project Ara modules will be hot swappable and will have a "Google Play-like store"

[TopWargamer]

Source: http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/09/30/most-project-ara-modules-will-be-hot-swappable-thanks-to-modified-android-l/

 

It's safe to say that we're all excited for Project Ara, for better or for worse, but with this piece of news, the hype gets even more real. Project director of Project Ara Paul Eremenko stated that all modules of Project Ara will be hot-swappable, except for the CPU and display (which makes perfect sense). As an example, if you want to use a better camera, you can swap one out mid pose. 

 

This amazing smartphone technology is coming to life from a modified version of Android L that Eremenko and his team are working on. However, they are getting help from a non-profit organization known as Linaro. Oh, and one more cool bit of news: Project Ara will have a Google Play-esque store for Ara parts. obviously this store will be small at first, but I can see it growing at a rapid pace, especially if it's very similar to Google Play.

 

If you're interested, you can watch the full keynote here:

[Arty]

hot swap battery? 

[flibberdipper]

[bob345]

I always get excited about project ara news. I find it amazing that it has already come so far. I initially thought there would be no way that a company would support something like this.

[TopWargamer]

hot swap battery? 

Yes sirey!

[Thorium19]

So if the battery is hot-swappable, then there must be a small residual battery built into the main base, as otherwise you'd have to perform really fast battery swaps to make sure the device didn't run out of power before the new module was installed.

Overall I really am stoked for Ara, I really want it to do well, and It'll be one of those devices that hopefully will revolutionise the industry.

[Laputacake]

Must keep my sensation going so i can buy this

[Arty]

Yes sirey!

how do you have a device run without a battery? surely it will die.

[TopWargamer]

how do you have a device run without a battery? surely it will die.

That's a question for a more technical person. I'm not sure how it works. All I know is that it does work, and that it's awesome. 

[Arty]

That's a question for a more technical person. I'm not sure how it works. All I know is that it does work, and that it's awesome. 

was it shown? 

[TopWargamer]

was it shown? 

I don't believe it was, but from the source:

"One of the great things about this capability, especially for road warriors, is that the battery can be hot-swapped, meaning you can replace it on the fly without turning the phone off thanks to a tiny reserve. Turns out you can do that with quite a few of the parts."

[The_Strict_Nein]

hot swap battery? 

 

Well, obviously if you took all of them out it'd turn off, but I guess you could hot-swap a new one in (in a different slot) then take out the old one.

[ijKs Snow]

That is sexy.

 

So from my understanding, Eremenko and his team is developing the design function and software for Project Ara, and it's up to hardware manufacturers to jump on the boat?

[Arty]

Well, obviously if you took all of them out it'd turn off, but I guess you could hot-swap a new one in (in a different slot) then take out the old one.

I was thinking that, most logical

[TopWargamer]

That is sexy.

 

So from my understanding, Eremenko and his team is developing the design function and software for Project Ara, and it's up to hardware manufacturers to jump on the boat?

I'm not entirely sure. I'm sure that Google will offer some modules - at least some starter modules. The bulk will probably be made by 3rd parties. 

That's just personal speculation though. 

[landon418]

My only complain about Project Ara is how blocky it is.

[The_Strict_Nein]

That is sexy.

 

So from my understanding, Eremenko and his team is developing the design function and software for Project Ara, and it's up to hardware manufacturers to jump on the boat?

 

The real idea is that developers can do stuff that hasn't been done before on a phone. Google will likely offer a basic set and an advanced set of basic block,s but kickstarter will be the perfect place for small companies to launch amazing new products that can be used in an environment when usually you'd have to make people carry a whole different device, rather than just a phone

 

EDIT: For example, a paramedic can have as phone that doubles as a pulse reader and blood analyser, rather than carrying three devices.

[PillowSmoke]

Can this come any sooner? I'd like to get my hands on this, and test it out.

[The_Strict_Nein]

My only complain about Project Ara is how blocky it is.

 

Nature of a modular interface, it has to be fairly blocky.

 

If google ever license the chassis design we could see interesting third party models, sleeker with fewer blocks etc.

[rashdanml]

hot swap battery? 

Easy; have a lower capacity internal battery capable of running the phone for 30 mins and a higher capacity external battery for swapping. Some laptops have that feature too. 

[dizmo]

Meh. It will be interesting to see how it develops but I really don't see it catching on, definitely not into the mainstream.

I mean look at other things that are supposed to be portable yet customization never really took over due to the hit it would take to form; laptops.

No one wants a massive laptop they have to carry around.

[Kingofpants]

how do you have a device run without a battery? surely it will die.

Capacitors probably, It would seem like the most cheap and sensible thing to use to accomplish that.

[Jerakl]

Nature of a modular interface, it has to be fairly blocky.

 

If google ever license the chassis design we could see interesting third party models, sleeker with fewer blocks etc.

Having a thin case or backing could fix that. I would like one of these seems cool, or a one m8/g3. I think this has a few years to progress though

[Tygron]

None of this information is new unfortunately. But I guess i've been following it more heavily.

 

Basically the base has a small battery in it that can probably run for a minute or so. Long enough to change batteries out. Also any module can also house a battery if the manufacture wants to. Depends on if they made room for it in the module along with whatever else it is. You can also have multiple batteries on the thing, and it supposedly uses them smartly and stuff and keeps the base charged.

 

I'm really excited for Ara but I don't think it's gonna last too long. I expect it to be alright at the start of it all and then dye out to a few new parts here and there to keep the hardcore users of it happy.

[Tonylu1595]

Ha, low end.