Article updated March 4 at 12 am
Barcelona – It’s a bit the star of the show, the place where journalists and visitors do not hesitate to queue: the Yezz stand the buzz. You do not know Yezz? That’s pretty normal, American manufacturer of feature phones and smartphones is best known in South America with Android models, Firefox OS and Windows Phone.
Yezz has been 10 million handsets in 2014 began a career in France since 2014 through agreements with Avenir Telecom and retailers such as Auchan and Leclerc. But of course that’s not why Yezz attracts so many people at MWC.
The company is indeed the partner of Google for its famous Ara project. This is a modular Smartphone
which will allow manufacturers to design a customized phone
from
modules can communicate among themselves and ensuring some
key functions.
Technically, each component will be set by electro-permanent magnets on an aluminum endoskeleton provided by Google.
To communicate, they will use the standard Unified Protocol, or UniPro.
The idea, make a smartphone according to his desires by choosing the processor, the radio components, audio capabilities, the NPC, the etc … battery, through modules of different sizes that are grafted on a backbone. Google announced a marketing test in Puerto Rico this year, without giving a specific date. But if many groups already working on the production of modules, such as Toshiba, it is Yezz which will be exclusive for this large-scale testing period.
In the middle, the endoskeleton aluminum with some modules, left, modules of different sizes for different functions
Still examples of modules of different sizes and a smartphone proto
On the left joystick (!) which can also be grafted to the endoskeleton right
Why Google has it associated with this actor? “Google looking for a partner at a CES Las Vegas for his project, he was looking for a group based in the region, flexible features near capacity, it is exactly our case since we have a production line Ecuador and we operate in Mexico, “explains Slimane Bennour, Key Account for France
And to ensure Ara will have a gadget or smartphone for geeks.” although we are in a mass-market project to reach 5 billion smartphone users. ” Yezz will propose during the test in Port Rico between 50 to 100 different modules “that will design a smartphone from 50 to 299 dollars, depending on the modules used” (see photo).
It was thus possible to see a prototype of Ara with many modules on the US stand. Surely this is very exciting and we are already saliva before all the possible combinations. The modules themselves are simple to handle and plug. There remains the question of the long-term use and robustness of the connectors. But this is by far the most interesting object seen in Barcelona.
“This test will see what works and what blocks and consumer feedback, then it can be assumed on a larger scale launch in 2016, “said the official. At this time, Yezz not be the sole provider of the modules, but in the meantime, what advertising! It will also validate the product’s business model. It evokes an Ara Store, which as Google Play, will buy online modules.
“By following the
model of Android, we are creating a free platform
and open. The MDK (Module Developers Kit) Ara is free and open to
anyone, that everyone can create a module and make it available
the Ara shop with a direct sales to consumers, “explained Paul Eremenko, Director of ATAP division at Google.
Yezz not so alone in having presented modules . Toshiba has unveiled its own, dedicated to
photo, at the Modular Phone Forum Singapore there a few weeks. The Japanese group
presented three different cameras in the form of components
removable. Both connect to the back of the chassis and offer
5 resolutions and 13 megapixels. A larger module can
placed on top of the screen. Toshiba also announced its intention to propose modules for the NFC, memory, or the load.
According to Digitimes, more than 20 partners would work
already with ATAP division (Advanced Technology and Projects) Google
in charge of the project.
It is too early to judge the relevance of this project. But for many observers, it could change the situation of the smartphone market with a new, customizable, flexible, scalable, which will actually fight against waste and planned obsolescence. For Google, it is also further strengthen the Android ecosystem that it recall more than 80% of smartphones sold in 2014 …
No comments:
Post a Comment