Google's Project Ara (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

Interesting idea for tech dabblers, I think it's a terrible idea as a consumer prospect tho:http://techland.time.com/2014/02/26/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone/http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/02/26/google-announces-project-ara-developers-conference-taking-place-online-via-live-webstream-april-15-16th/

 

[DaveF]

Proof will be in the pudding.

 

[RobertR]

Not surprised Sam hates the idea, given what he's said in the fragmentation thread and this:

Between a hardware ecosystem that Google hopes will eventually offer thousands of modules and the infinite opportunity for exterior modifications, configuring an Ara phone will involve a lot of decisions.
Read more: Project Ara: Inside Google's Modular Smartphone | TIME.com http://techland.time.com/2014/02/26/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone/#ixzz2v49AcHi1

Infinite opportunity for exterior modifications might make Sam's head explode.

 

[Sam Posten]

Well, lets look at this as if it becomes a success. Who is that good for?For google for sure, anyone using Android as opposed to other OS is best. Tho they still make money from services and ads.Not the carriers. This tech has the potential to REALLY screw up the subsidized market. If you keep upgrading components what do you need a contract for?Not Samsung. But maybe Samsung too. This gives EVERYONE a chance to reset and see who can make the best individual components. Or THE LEAST EXPENSIVE. Or weirdest. Or coolest. Samsung might do well with components but it opens the door.What consumers benefit? Scoble and his ilk of 'give me the newest weirdest stuff even if its partly broken'. Consumers looking for cheap upgrades of dubious benefit when not taken as a whole system. Average consumers will be bewildered and will buy the best group of stuff that works together and wonder why. Drivers -could- be an issue. Malware vectors -could- be an issue. Maybe it will be drop in and forget it unicorns and icecream. I remain skeptical but it could happen.Ultimately I don't see the real benefit for consumers unless you are already in the mega-tweaker mindset already... And that's a pretty small market.

 

[DaveF]

What consumers benefit? Scoble and his ilk of 'give me the newest weirdest stuff even if its partly broken'. Consumers looking for cheap upgrades of dubious benefit when not taken as a whole system. Average consumers will be bewildered and will buy the best group of stuff that works together and wonder why.

Yep. People no longer build custom PCs nor do they upgrade them. Everyone is buying laptops. Cars, the same. I don't see modular phones being more than a trivial niche.

 

[RobertR]

Yep. People no longer build custom PCs nor do they upgrade them.

I built one, and upgraded it not long ago with an additional hard drive.

 

[DaveF]

I built one, and upgraded it not long ago with an additional hard drive.

You are one of very few.compared to the total market for PCs.

 

[Sam Posten]

New details:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5598622/project-ara-module-development-kit-explains-how-to-make-parts

 

[Sam Posten]

Still don't get the appeal...
http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/15/5615880/building-blocks-how-project-ara-is-reinventing-the-smartphone

 

[Sam Posten]

Wat.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/01/want-googles-modular-android-phone-find-a-food-truck-in-puerto-rico/

 

[Sam Posten]

Shocker.
http://daringfireball.net/linked/2016/09/01/reuters-project-ara