I just published a new report on Project Ara, the much-talked about modular phone concept from Google. While modularity exists in the ICT world today--many of us know people who piece together their own desktop systems (i.e., our gamer friends)-- could this work in the smartphone market? Could I someday create my own customized, personalized phone based on the things I want to do with it, not what the big OEMs think I want to do? Also, wouldn't these devices, using fewer needless components, be less wasteful and more sustainable in the long run? If the answers turn out to be "yes" to these questions then this could really shake up the industry.
Below are snippets from the new report that covers drives/constraints, industry implications, details on the device concept and more.
Below are snippets from the new report that covers drives/constraints, industry implications, details on the device concept and more.
Project Ara Background
- Google’s Project Ara is comprised of a small group of engineers (some from Motorola) who are championing a modular phone hardware design. Some have even called it a LEGO phone.
- It is being spearheaded by Paul Eremenko (former DARPA engineer) in Google’s ATAP group.
- Lenovo acquired Motorola in January 2014 but Google kept the Ara team.
- In April, Google hosted a hardware developer’s conference around designing, creating and promoting ideas around a modular device.
- Prior to Project Ara’s developers' conference, Phonebloks unveiled a social media campaign in September of 2013 called “join the movement.” It said it was “…an independent organization with the purpose of encouraging the development and production of products that produce less electronic waste.” Phonebloks now does marketing for Project Ara.
Key Drivers
Modular Phones
Modularity could require less parts/components (reduce e-waste) and drive a more efficiency and a faster time to market; it is a welcome change (lower price point) by some to the mobile ecosystem of today. It will be easier said than done to overhaul the way mobile phones are manufactured and distributed today.
Foxconn, Samsung and Apple (to name a few) have a long and successful history in the market with engrained processes around mass producing smartphones, that according to the Ara team “all look the same.”
The modular look and feel may take consumers some time to adopt; however, the phones are designed to be highly customizable. And, for those in emerging markets who have never carried a smartphone, they might embrace the form factor.
Foxconn, Samsung and Apple (to name a few) have a long and successful history in the market with engrained processes around mass producing smartphones, that according to the Ara team “all look the same.”
The modular look and feel may take consumers some time to adopt; however, the phones are designed to be highly customizable. And, for those in emerging markets who have never carried a smartphone, they might embrace the form factor.
Summary
Just last week, the team at Ara announced a contest to encourage developers to create applications and modules for Ara that are not being used on smartphones today. There is a $100K payout for the chosen module.
This truly is an exciting time in the industry when we have the creativity, technology and moxi to start projects that may just change the way we envisioned devices in the future.
Click on the title of the report here to see the excerpt of this report: "Project Ara: A Modular Phone from Google: Where LEGO Blocks Meet High Tech."
Or, if you would like more information, please contact Kate Pearce at kpearce@compassintelligence.com
This truly is an exciting time in the industry when we have the creativity, technology and moxi to start projects that may just change the way we envisioned devices in the future.
Click on the title of the report here to see the excerpt of this report: "Project Ara: A Modular Phone from Google: Where LEGO Blocks Meet High Tech."
Or, if you would like more information, please contact Kate Pearce at kpearce@compassintelligence.com
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