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Project Ara Modular Smartphone Will Have Hot-Swappable Modules

By - Source: Phonebloks | B 25 comments

Project Ara director Paul Eremenko recently announced at a Linaro conference that the Ara platform will be able to hot-swap almost any component with the exception of the CPU and display. That includes the memory, storage, battery, camera, WiFi/cellular module or whatever any other module an Ara user may have. Linaro, a non-profit, helped the Ara team make the modules hot-swappable.

Because Project Ara is a completely modular device, you will be able to switch all of its components for new and improved ones without having to buy a new phone, as everyone does now. If you need the highest-end mobile processor out there, for example, you can just buy that processor module and upgrade the handset with it.

Or if you want a 40 MP camera like the one we saw in the Pureview 808 and Lumia 1020, you could also get that (as long as there’s a component manufacturer offering that option). The same goes for battery, storage, memory, new WiFi technology and so on. Ara will be infinitely customizable, which should make for some interesting devices, not just from a feature point of view, but from a design point of view, as well.

If Project Ara is successful, having truly customizable phones could be just the beginning. The project could evolve in unforeseen ways beyond just smartphones; we could see components that are specifically made for work in hospitals and aid doctors in treating patients, for example.

Ara may start as a modular smartphone, but it’s ultimately a blank-slate electronic platform that could turn into different kind of devices.

Paul Eremenko also said that Ara will be using a modified version of Android L in order to support the hot-swappable components, which will be available in a store similar to the Play Store. Project Ara devices should arrive on the market early next year.

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  • 4 Hide
    dwatterworth , September 30, 2014 11:49 AM
    Remember when phones had removable battery covers that would fly off along with the battery when the device was dropped? Now add each component to that. 'Today was a good day, I only had to rebuild my phone 6 times!'.

    Love the idea, maybe some small lockable retention device is included?
  • 0 Hide
    zdaggs , September 30, 2014 11:51 AM
    did this guy (Armasu) even read his own article or am I missing something. the first paragraph states the cpu is not swappable then he goes on to state in the second paragraph" If you need the highest-end mobile processor out there, for example, you can just buy that processor module and upgrade the handset with it".

    the main reason I switch phones would be for the newer processors. I don't care about switching my wifi adapter. new ram or camera would be nice but my phone already lets me switch battery and storage.
  • 0 Hide
    Gunbuster , September 30, 2014 12:06 PM
    I wonder how long the Project Ara dev team is going to milk their slick CG renders and dummy mock ups conveniently zoomed out so you cant see how terrible they look?

    When this comes out (If it does) it will be running outdated components, come in way over price, and still be chunky as hell.
  • Add your comment Display all 25 comments.
  • -1 Hide
    Augray37 , September 30, 2014 12:32 PM
    Quote:
    did this guy (Armasu) even read his own article or am I missing something. the first paragraph states the cpu is not swappable then he goes on to state in the second paragraph" If you need the highest-end mobile processor out there, for example, you can just buy that processor module and upgrade the handset with it".

    the main reason I switch phones would be for the newer processors. I don't care about switching my wifi adapter. new ram or camera would be nice but my phone already lets me switch battery and storage.


    +1 I realize people make mistakes but yikes.

    And i wholeheartedly agree that the CPU is really the main thing i would care about swapping out, with the screen being a close second lol. Oh well, gotta start somewhere :p 
  • 9 Hide
    threefish , September 30, 2014 12:37 PM
    The CPU is not *hot* swappable. Read a little more closely.
  • 9 Hide
    MKBL , September 30, 2014 12:37 PM
    zdaggs/Augray37: The write didn't say that CPU is not swappable, rather, not hot-swappable.

    "the Ara platform will be able to hot-swap almost any component with the exception of the CPU and display."

    This suggests that you may swap the processor module when the system power is off, so cold-swappable.
  • 1 Hide
    Andy Chow , September 30, 2014 12:59 PM
    I don't get how you can hot-swap memory. That makes zero sense.
  • -3 Hide
    coffeecoffee , September 30, 2014 1:07 PM
    @dwatterworth Third party or OEM skins/covers can help, further more a device like this SHOULD definitely come with some sort of locking mechanism. (At least any competent engineer would include it).

    We can only assume the writer made a mistake by using a poor example... he should of just used a camera/battery example...
  • 0 Hide
    lpedraja2002 , September 30, 2014 1:11 PM
    I am very interested in this. I hope it comes to fruition ala One Plus One.
  • -1 Hide
    MKBL , September 30, 2014 1:28 PM
    Probably majority of Ara users will be forced to purchase phone cases, not just for protection, but also as a holding mechanism. This is a good news for case companies, if Ara will be a success, which I doubt.
  • 1 Hide
    icrf , September 30, 2014 1:57 PM
    A previous update said Project Ara would use electro-permanent magnets to secure the modules. I have no idea how strong such a magnet is, but it's not simple friction holding the modules in place. It may indeed be more secure than plastic retaining clips of the past.
  • 1 Hide
    cbfelterbush , September 30, 2014 5:01 PM
    Man, I think the majority of the commenting individuals need to read a bit more before they open up in the chat.

    Not Hot-swappable, not not swappable. -CB
  • 1 Hide
    Andy Chow , September 30, 2014 5:30 PM
    Quote:
    Man, I think the majority of the commenting individuals need to read a bit more before they open up in the chat.

    Not Hot-swappable, not not swappable. -CB


    But so does the author of this article. Explain to me how you can hot-swap memory (ram)? Or even storage (this isn't a server, it's unlikely to have several storage devices)? I understand that this device has a small back-up battery, so I get that you can hot-swap the battery.

    Show me a single device in this world where you can hot-swap ram. I've heard of some (250 000$+) servers that can do a hot-add memory, but hot-swap? Never.
  • 0 Hide
    Augray37 , September 30, 2014 7:30 PM
    Quote:
    zdaggs/Augray37: The write didn't say that CPU is not swappable, rather, not hot-swappable.

    "the Ara platform will be able to hot-swap almost any component with the exception of the CPU and display."

    This suggests that you may swap the processor module when the system power is off, so cold-swappable.


    Good call, my apologies. Has a "cold swappable" cpu for mobiles ever existed before this? Not saying i was right at all, but i took "hot swappable" to mean swappable in general, never thinking that it was even possible to swap out the CPU, hot or cold.
  • 1 Hide
    Ian Mahaney , September 30, 2014 7:58 PM
    Besides having an upgradable CPU, I think the amount of adapters companies will (hopefully) make would be awesome! You wouldn't need extra expansion dongles and I imagine people would be able to turn it into a type of Arduino platform; utilizing the swappable component space for different ports and/or special sensors.
  • 0 Hide
    dewel , October 1, 2014 5:25 AM
    Quote:
    I don't get how you can hot-swap memory. That makes zero sense.


    Usually RAM is soldered on top of the CPU, so you probably can't buy nor swap RAM separately.
  • 0 Hide
    g00fysmiley , October 1, 2014 5:58 AM
    it is an interesting concept, the swappable cpu is a must, as stated not hot swappable but doable. What would stop me from jumping onboard with this idea is the screen being set, with advancments it seems a few years back 720p was the bees knees, now 1080p is standard and we are moving beyond it in the high end. I understand that in theory one could buy a new platform and plug iun thier components keeping a backup screen/dock, but i would want some sort of guaruntee that the standard would last for several years so when i wanted to upgrade a screen my other components would still plug into it, otherwise unless it is reallycheap i can't see makign the investment.

    my other concern is with the S5 and Sony phones other manifacturers are bound to follow suit with water proofing and water resistance, I can't see how one would effectivly make somethign like this waterprof outside of a aftermarket case, in some parts of the US and the world that is no big deal, in Florida where i live it rains most dayys and often out of nowhere. so any nonwaterproof or phone that I can't buy a reliable waterproof case for is out. (though I have a Nexus 5 now and am just tired of carrying aroudn emergency waterproofing devices (ziplock bags) in my pockets all the time
  • -1 Hide
    shadarlo , October 1, 2014 6:48 AM
    The comments on this site have really gone downhill. People need to actually read the article, not skim it, before posting.

    Also, to the person worried about resolution. Seriously? What resolution do you think is going to be "crucial" on a 5" phone that isn't already available now? Most people agree 1080p is plenty, some still prefer 720p for battery life reasons... while a small handful like 1440p and maybe, maybe some people will want a 4k screen in the next year.

    So guess what, this phone will be perfect as you can buy whichever screen resolution you want. YOU choose. That's what makes this thing such an awesome concept.

    Want a phone with an AWESOME camera but don't care much about anything else? You can build it. Others may not even want a camera but want a lot more battery space so they swap in an extra battery instead of the camera.

    Or, even cooler, perhaps you're just about to head home but phone's almost dead. Take off that camera module and put on a battery module instead. Or you're in a spot with no reception... plop out the LTE module and put in another battery. Or swap a Verizon modem for an ATT modem if you have the money to keep both services active and one service is weak where you are.
  • 0 Hide
    xenol , October 1, 2014 7:13 AM
    I'd really like to know how they managed to make memory hot swappable.
  • 0 Hide
    xenol , October 1, 2014 7:13 AM
    I'd really like to know how they managed to make memory (RAM) hot swappable.
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