Modular Phones: Project ARA

Modular smartphones, yes are arriving shortly! People have already gotten used to changing and upgrading parts in their vehicles and computers. For example, in cars, you can change tires for better grip levels, in computers and laptops; you can change or upgrade processor and RAM even graphic cards.

It was never the same with our favorite handheld smartphones. We have to change them with time as time passes and we need better processing power and fast things with more space. For instance, previously android phones came with 512MB RAM, and now with heavy software and games, people are complaining about their 2GB RAM phones.

In 2012 the concept of Modular phones came into the market, where you can change or upgrade phone components as per your requirement. Google named it Project ARA! For example, students will play more games and use a lot of social media stuff, so they need a better battery and more processing power with a good amount of RAM. A businessman will require good battery backup with great connectivity and steady performance. A person who loves to travel will go with DUAL sim slots and a good camera. Multimedia guys need good speakers and a nice screen. So, why go with a mass-produced company-made phone? Why not tailor-made stuff?

Private organizations, as well as Google, initiated to make phones that could give you inter-changeability and tailor-made performance as per your need. In starting phase, a base came, on which you can fix your component and move on, and then you can change it with another one as per the occasion. Though that will make phones bulky and look stupid. Better designs are coming and you might get to hold your modular smartphone in the next 2 years.

Why this technology is not arriving fast?

Things will be changed if this kind of technology will arrive in smartphones. When your PC/Laptop gets slow, instead of buying a new one, you just change or upgrade new components. So, if Project ARA comes to life, people will stop buying a new ones and will go for accessories. Companies, which are making profits from the mass production of phones, will have to go for component things.

Another thing is, the smartphone market is still experiencing updates and new research. So if companies make components in higher numbers, other manufacturers will make newer things and people will go with them! So let’s see, what will come in the future. Stay tuned for more updates.