Astonishment and disappointment. These are the sentiments that dominate following the will of Google to stop development of the ARA project, its modular smartphones. Google will not deliver babies terminal project. Instead, the giant would consider selling licensed to third parties technology, Reuters advance
The concept:. Enable manufacturers to design a custom phone from independent modules that communicate with each other and secured by electro-permanent magnets placed on an endoskeleton aluminum provided by Google. To communicate, they use the standard Unified Protocol, or UniPro.
Very attractive on paper, the project in development since ppeiné years has long become reality. To the point that some had almost buried. In 2015, Google already pushed its 2016 presentation explaining that the terminal is not ready to leave the prototype phase. Already, the giant had waived its test launch, planned long in Puerto Rico.
However, it seemed that the giant wanted to go to the end. At the Mobile World Congress 2015, Slimane Bennour, Key Account Yess exclusive partner for modules during the testing phase asserted: “It is a mass-market project to reach 5 billion smartphone users “. “This test will see what works and what blocks and consumer feedback, then we can count on a larger scale launch in 2016,” said the official.
The tests did not take place but in May on the sidelines of the conference I / O, the Mountain View giant confirmed that the development of the project continues. A developer version would be available in the fall. Perhaps stung by the release of the LG G5, which also plays the card of modularity, Google was renewing communication around this project. From the point of publishing a video.
However, we felt that Goole already reviewing its ambitions downwards. Processor and RAM are thus more modular and fixed to a frame. Now the project is frozen, it can be argued some explanation:
– Google may be noted that the physical system connection is not really strong in time. And third-party manufacturers offer a wide range of modules, original and varied will not be waiting for you.
-The same principle of modular smartphone may be such a good idea. Google’s watch with anguish the gut LG G5. Voted best smartphone of MWC 2015, the G5 has a removable battery and sliding that detaches from the bottom of the smartphone in the manner of a gun loader. Besides forward to simply replace the battery, the concept allows especially to make the modular smartphone by combining it with accessories also connecting sliding. These accessories emphasize the image and sound.
Consumers do not appear to have been seduced to the point that the LG division now finds itself in a difficult financial situation leading to an ongoing restructuring. A spokesman for LG questioned by the Korea Times confirms, “the announcement (on restructuring) is on the latest flagship smartphone from LG Electronics, which has failed to generate good sales.”
In a smartphone market (too) uniform, the idea of modular smartphone yet brought some fresh wind. The question is whether his retirement is final or if some manufacturers will get back to work in order to offer a product and a more mature ecosystem.
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