‘Upgrade’ Will Soon Be Thing Of The Past
In about a year’s time, a completely new smartphone concept is due to be unleashed on the public.
Instead of an “upgrade”, meaning the disposal and replacement of an entire phone, it will involve just removing one part and plugging in a new bit.
The modular mobile is on its way.
This fresh take on the phone is being developed at Google’s Advanced Technology and Products Division at its Mountain View, California, headquarters.
Thirty prototypes are already in daily use there, in place of regular handsets.
While the front faces of these phones appear very conventional, with 5.3 inch screens, the reverse sides are a whole different ball game. They look like a cross between streamrollered Lego bricks and oversized Scrabble tiles.
The idea is that the user can mix and match components to suit.
Want a longer life between charges?
Get the phone shop to plug in a bigger battery module at purchase. Keen climber? Plug in a super accurate GPS altimeter add-on module.
It will even be possible to have multiple modules and switch between them yourself.
Looking to snap wildlife this afternoon? Plug on your telephoto. Family party tonight? You’ll need the wide angle.
This is Project Ara and, if it takes off, the next generation of Apps will not be downloadable, they will be plug-ins.
They will not just be specialist code, but have custom built components.
Developers are already working on concepts for enthusiasts, like a mobile weather station module plugged into your handset, for example.
The first Project Ara phones are currently due on the street in spring 2017.
See them for yourself, by keying Project Ara into Google Images.
