Google moved its 'Ara' modular phones project into its own business unit and plans to release the modular phones to developers later in 2016 and to consumers in 2017, writes Wall-Street Journal citing Google executives. They were speaking at the Google's annual programmer conference that took place on 20 May. In the spring of 2014, Google said the phone would be available in January 2015 for about USD 50. The Google spokeswoman said on 20 May that it was too early to estimate a price for the phone.
The company presented the ways in which different parts could be snapped onto the back of a phone at the event. The Ara smartphone shell consists of a frame into which various swappable modules such as one for Wi-Fi or new cameras or processors can be inserted. Changes were made to the phone after listening to developers and consumers so that more technology be installed in the device's base to clear room for more modules, a Google spokeswoman said.
The Ara device will be powered by Google's Android mobile-operating system. Google may make the base phone itself or partner with a hardware company as it does with its Nexus smartphones, Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh said in an interview. Google will likely develop some phone modules, Osterloh said, but outsiders will be able to make new components as well. Google said on 20 May it was working with several companies on modules, including Samsung Electronics,
Google announced in August 2015 that it dropped plans to use Puerto Rico as the initial test market for its Project Ara modular smartphone.
