Project Ara video shows off customization options and new modular tech

Justin Kahn

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project ara

The Project Ara smartphone team has released a new video showing off its latest progress. Along with noticing the project still appears to be quite early in development, we catch a quick glimpse of some of the tech the team is implementing at this stage.

One main component featured in the video is the new magnet technology being used to hold the various modules of the device in place. The team is now using what is called electro-permanent magnets (made of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet) which offer a much more dependable and durable connection while still allowing for users to easily mix and match modules.

We also catch a glimpse of what some of the stylized modules could look like courtesy of the 3D Systems Corp., which is handling that end of production for Project Ara at this point. From the video it appears they are just 3D printed prototypes and that the team is still working on various color options and durability. We see the multi colored/textured blocks as expected, along with some with images printed on them and others with what appears to be a protruding 3D image.

The video ends with a quick glimpse at the Ara Configurator app as it sits at this point, which allows users to browse Ara parts to try them out. It will be quite sometime before anyone will get to do that though, judging by the video it appears the modular smartphone is still a ways off from hitting store shelves.

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I hope this project might allow for an external case (not just a slide on, but like, snap-onto-front panel case. To allow for more cosmetic personalization I guess. idk. It doesnt even have to be thick, just something to make my phone look different from every other modular phone once these get released.

Regardless, this is incredibly exciting. Ill buy the parts for one when (if) they come out.
 
I hope with this phone, I could customize my phone into S5, then next month customized into Z2.. :D
 
I have been following this for the past few months and I am really excited. This could really help with the e-waste problem.
 
This needs to be made open and allow for multiple operating systems. only then will it be truly modular.
 
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