Motorola Announces Project Ara, An Open, Modular Smartphone Hardware Platform [UPDATED]

[mgsstar]

 

Remember Phonebloks and how we all had a good laugh about how unworkable and idealistic it was? It turns out Motorola has been working on a similar project for the last year, and it's called Project Ara. This is really happening.

Here's what Ara is, according to Motorola:

 

 

The design for Project Ara consists of what we call an endoskeleton (endo) and modules.  The endo is the structural frame that holds all the modules in place. A module can be anything, from a new application processor to a new display or keyboard, an extra battery, a pulse oximeter--or something not yet thought of!

 

Developing...

Source:http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/28/holy-shit-motorola-announces-project-ara-an-open-modular-smartphone-hardware-platform/

http://motorola-blog.blogspot.com/2013/10/goodbye-sticky-hello-ara.html

 

Hope this technology really happens because it would be pretty amazing to have a pretty customizable device.

 

UPDATE: Response from Phonebloks: 

[pit5000]

must have NOW!

[MbV93]

What!? I totally laughed on the face of anyone that shared that phonebloks video! Now I have to apologize!?

[CoolBeans]

Oh look another modular phone that will get post 9001 times

[ttam]

Oh look another modular phone that will get post 9001 times

Seeing as it was announced by a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE phone company instead of a Kickstarter campaign... It's something we will see eventually. And they have been working on it for over a year.

[MbV93]

Seeing as it was announced by a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE phone company instead of a Kickstarter campaign... It's something we will see eventually. And they have been working on it for over a year.

Haha yeah, and it wasn't even a Kickstarter, it was a "Thunderclap" campaign just basically to spread the word out that people wanted something like this.

[Kirihuna]

I swear to god, if they run stock Android on this with updates from Google itself, this may be the greatest invention for mobile phones since being mobile.

[ttam]

I swear to god, if they run stock Android on this with updates from Google itself, this may be the greatest invention for mobile phones since being mobile.

Well, it is being made & funded by Google so it should be

[Kirihuna]

Well, it is being made & funded by Google so it should be

Wasn't the new Moto X made by Google basically?

 

If I remember correctly, it isn't stock?

 

edit: Apparently it ships with stock 4.2.

[MissRiot0721]

If it actually works and running android, I'll buy it.

[ttam]

Wasn't the new Moto X made by Google basically?

 

If I remember correctly, it isn't stock?

 

edit: Apparently it ships with stock 4.2.

Google owns Motorolla =D

[mr moose]

What does the block with picture of the cat on it do?  I recon it's the instant cheezburger memes adapter kit.

[kcchi]

This may turn out to be freaking awesome; actually, please make it awesome 

[Kirihuna]

Google owns Motorolla =D

Yeah but Motorola is it's own company still.

 

After Google bought Motorola, they released the Droid Razr HD and HD Maxx and that wasn't stock, but maybe because it was too far into the development cycle (It was released in Fall, and they were bought early summer iirc)

[Giddyguy]

still a little skeptical though, and i don't want to apologize to everyone who praised phonebloks...

[BRiteBak]

Really I don't think the first version will be any good until other companies start making blocks

[ttam]

Really I don't think the first version will be any good until other companies start making blocks

Chances are we won't see any other companies.

 

It can go one of two ways.

 

1) Motorola patents the idea. No other companies can do it.

2) Motorola license the idea and companies like Samsung, HTC, LG and such develop their own.

[JimmyChau]

interesting... cant wait to see where this goes

[BRiteBak]

Chances are we won't see any other companies.

 

It can go one of two ways.

 

1) Motorola patents the idea. No other companies can do it.

2) Motorola license the idea and companies like Samsung, HTC, LG and such develop their own.

Still if other companies make it and it becomes fragmented and not everything is compatible then it is going to be a fucking nightmare.

[qwertywarrior]

i believe that the ( SOC ram radio) are all in one block while the NAND etc are in different blocks which sounds awesome

[ajoy39]

Wasn't the new Moto X made by Google basically?

 

If I remember correctly, it isn't stock?

 

edit: Apparently it ships with stock 4.2.

95% stock or so. 

[joelthezombie15]

If it comes in orange, Im sold.

[Lukiose]

If it comes in orange, Im sold.

You're back! Welcome

[HaZardousLP]

It has more potential than Phoneblocks because it seems each piece isn't just put anywhere. As someone who basically just wants the best of everything (HTC One ) then I doubt I'd get too much use out of it. For say a photography enthusiast they might want a better battery and camera, a poweruser/multitasker might want a better processor and more storage etc. I think they're designed to target everyone who belongs to a particular group/have common interests.

[qwertywarrior]