Sorry to say but the excitement idea of having Google Glass through CD-R King is nothing but fake. The alleged teaser has been removed and disowned by CD-R King’s Facebook page. Here is their statement embedded below:
No details were mentioned whether the posting is intentional or hacked, but at least we now know that the real Google Glass will not land in CD-R King stores.
Google shows off a prototype version of the module-based Project Ara along with a list of updates that you need to know if you’re interested about the upcoming build-it-yourself smartphone. The company is confident that building a working Project Ara would only cost under $100 or around Php4,400.
We’ve reported about the prototype arriving and you know what Project Ara is. Now it’s time to go a bit into its details and what we, as consumers, could be seeing when it comes out.
The basic “grey” phone costs around $50 (approx. Php2,200, directly converted) when it comes out. The breakdown is as follows: $15 for Endoskeleton frame, $15 for the display, $10 for the main AP module, $5 for battery, and another $5 for a Wi-Fi unit. This is just the very basic set and Google said that getting started with a working Project Ara would only cost under $100 (approx Php4,400).
Here are a few more things to know about Project Ara:
The most important component of the device is the chassis or “Endoskeleton”.
As previously reported, sizes come in small (around 4.3 inches), medium (5 inches), and large (5.7 inches) with 2×5, 3×6, 4×7 blocks, respectively.
Modules come in 1×1, 2×1, and 2×2 blocks
The AP or Application Processor module (shown below) is the brain of the phone and it contains the CPU, memory, and SD card slot which are all in one module and couldn’t be separated.
There are three main technologies that make Project Ara work: The UniPro which is responsible for the modules to communicate to each other, the capacitive M-PHY which is a physical interface that makes sure its 10 connection points don’t easily get worn out from swapping modules over time, and the electropermanent magnets that keep modules in place. It only uses current to toggle magnets on and off so it doesn’t drain your battery continuously unlike normal electromagnets do.
Google expects the Endoskeleton to last 5-6 years. This alone, for me, is reason enough to switch to Project Ara rather than changing your smartphones every two years or so.
Swapping the main battery without turning off the device is possible since there’s a built-in battery apart from the main battery embedded in the Endo — a first we’ve seen in smartphones.
New 3D printers will be developed to produce customized casings for Project Ara users. The machine will be able to print cases in clear and CMYK colors at 600dpi. Keyword: Customize!
We won’t be seeing stock Android on Project Ara. Instead, Google will be developing a specific software that could support the dynamic configurations of the device.
The basic “grey” phone could be seen as early as January 2015.
So what do you guys think of the Project Ara with its new updates? Is it something to be excited about? Share those thoughts below!
Phonebloks has released a video showing the updates on the build-it-yourself smartphone. One of the main highlights of the video is how the Project Ara‘s modules attach and dettach from its endoskeleton using electro-permanent magnets. We also might see a prototype version coming very soon.
If you’re still unfamiliar with Google’s Project Ara, you can quickly check out our related article on it.
The video starts by introducing the people behind the project including the Mechanical Workstream Lead and the Electrical Engineering and Software Lead. They first showed off an application processor board with an attached display to test the OS, apps, drivers, and software — monitoring and determining what works and what doesn’t.
Then they show how electro-permanent magnets are the key to holding the modules in place so the parts don’t break up and scatter when you drop your Project Ara smartphone. Basically, you just slide the modules (memory, camera, battery, etc) into the sockets and the magnet secures the connection. Once properly connected, the phone powers it up and we see in the video that the inserted module begins to light up.
Sample of a camera module
Project Ara’s initial design for the handset was to use a 3D-printed back cover to hide the modules (reported to be just 4mm thick), but the team realized that its sectioned design is what’s making it unique so they decided to show these off instead of covering them. I agree with this move since it separates the device from all other smartphones that we’re seeing today in terms of physique. Users can then personalize these modules according to their liking (hence the module covers with a cat and a skull printed on them).
According to the UI designers, they’re planning to make the future smartphone’s interface to be as simple and intuitive as possible.
That’s no concept image, it’s the prototype exoskeleton of Google’s Ara.
This is no longer a mere phone that may or may not push through as it is coming to its final stages of development. One of the executives mentioned in an interview that the only thing that needs finalizing are interfaces and protocols that allow the comppnent pieces to communicate with the CPU. It was also said that the team aims to finish the prototype version “within weeks”. Lastly, it was announced that the developer conference will be held on April 15 and 16 — all these point to the near (most likely early 2015) availability of the handsets.
Are you excited about this phone as we are? Any new specs you want to add for your own Project Ara when it comes out?
We already have Android phones and tablets, and recently, Google went into watches with Android Wear and has also announced an Open Automobile Alliance for Android cars. What’s next? It’s probably Android TV.
The Verge claims to have obtained information on what Google is working on as of the moment and it is going to succeed Google TV. This time however, it’s fully made out of Android.
Android TV will feature your movies, TV shows, apps, games and notifications all in one platform featuring Google’s Card UI. Major app and game developers are already working with Google for this project, and when it releases, it will most likely involve a set-top-box and a remote that features a four-way directional pad and enter, home, back & search buttons (optional gaming controllers will be available). Android TV will also support voice input and integrated search.
Other TV manufacturers are also working on their own Smart TV platforms such as LG, Samsung and Sony. Whether they will adapt to this upcoming platform is still unknown, as well as how everything will work out considering Google also has their Chromecast for sale. We will all have to wait for Google IO this upcoming June to get all the information.
We already have Android phones and tablets, and recently, Google went into watches with Android Wear and has also announced an Open Automobile Alliance for Android cars. What’s next? It’s probably Android TV.
The Verge claims to have obtained information on what Google is working on as of the moment and it is going to succeed Google TV. This time however, it’s fully made out of Android.
Android TV will feature your movies, TV shows, apps, games and notifications all in one platform featuring Google’s Card UI. Major app and game developers are already working with Google for this project, and when it releases, it will most likely involve a set-top-box and a remote that features a four-way directional pad and enter, home, back & search buttons (optional gaming controllers will be available). Android TV will also support voice input and integrated search.
Other TV manufacturers are also working on their own Smart TV platforms such as LG, Samsung and Sony. Whether they will adapt to this upcoming platform is still unknown, as well as how everything will work out considering Google also has their Chromecast for sale. We will all have to wait for Google IO this upcoming June to get all the information.
