Project Ara Modules And Store: Beneficial Things Users And Developers Will Get Out Of Modular Technology

Google is planning to put a special store for modular components of Project Ara where anyone is allowed to sell created modules, according to Paul Eremenko. So what will developers and users get out of this new project from Google?

Project Ara For Users

Project Ara by Google is designed to let users dictate on what a device should look like and function to match specific needs and personality. Most devices having advanced features such high-tech cameras are expensive, and sometimes users are not actually using the entire software or hardware package. So the project aims for users to directly influence a device by the following:

1. Choose specific and desired functions instead of buying a device with unnecessary features.

2. Customise it according to specific needs and lifestyle.

3. Allows individual upgrades on each hardware component.

4. Repairs can be done separately instead of giving away the entire device to a service centre.

5. Increases the life cycle of a device due to allowable upgrades on each hardware component.

PhoneBloks and MakewithMoto are also part of Project Ara, according to the official website. PhoneBloks is a dedicated organisation promoting the sale of phone devices in modular form rather than in whole widgets, while MakewithMoto is the application of Motorola's hardware tradition along with next generation makers to create new ideas for future devices.

Project Ara For Developers

Developers sharing the same concept of modular devices will benefit from the use of modular technology and ability to create and then sell custom-made modular pieces to a dedicated market. Currently, Google created the developer hardware based on the v0.10 MDK to help build prototypes and develop modules for Project Ara.

Google is welcoming any knowledgeable individuals to contribute on how to use the limited quantities of developer hardware such as an application processor board TI OMAP 4460 AP and modified Linaro Android, a UniPro switch board for network switching and a general purpose endpoint board for developer-unique functionality on supporting tunnelling of legacy protocols.

To encourage developers, a challenge has been announced by Google called Project Ara Developer Prize Challenge with a prize of $100,000 for the grand winner and paid travel to a future developer event for two runners-up. Click here to view the requirements on this prize challenge for Project Ara.

(Credit: YouTube/Dave Hakkens)