Not too long ago the idea of mobile phones that could be customised was introduced to our reality. The idea was that it would be greatly beneficial if our hardware could be upgraded piecemeal as technology quickly changes; the same way we would upgrade a computer. We would no longer be stuck using whatever specifications manufacturers decided to throw on a particular device.
Motorola is now bringing that vision closer to reality. Working in conjunction with Phonebloks, the so called Project Ara aims to create an “endoskeleton and modules”. Invitations are opening for people to become Ara Scouts, who will volunteer their time to complete special missions for the project. The most active scouts will receive the Project Ara when it goes to production; although when that will be is anyone’s guess.
The project’s stated goal is to do for hardware what Android has done for mobile OS. A lofty goal that includes convincing third parties to begin planning modules to be swapped out. This could be the battery, processor, camera, memory, and frankly just about anything that can be fit into a smartphone.
It is a lofty goal that has plenty of challenges ahead of it. However, it might just become reality considering that Motorola has the backing of Google.
[Source: Engadget]
