Category: modular phone

Fairphone 2 is world’s first modular Android device

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

With the goal of making a smartphone that would generally last longer by having easy-to-replace components, the Fairphone 2 is here as the world’s first modular Android device.

fairphone-2

The concept is this: instead of buying a new phone when the camera, for example, gets damaged or stops working, you just need to remove it and slap in the same kind or even better optics.

It was mentioned that it would just be like upgrading your own desktop PC so it shouldn’t be that hard, although it may mean the person removing and replacing components should have some knowledge as to what he’s doing — unlike Project Ara that was described as LEGO blocks that you just eject and simply put back in.

This makes the handset longer-lasting than other devices (the company claims the Fairphone 2 will last full five years).

Fairphone 2 out-of-the-box specs:
5-inch Full HD LCD display @ 1920 x 1080 resolution
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
2GB RAM
32GB internal storage
8MP rear camera
Android 5.1 Lollipop

It’s been reported that mass production will start in November, and will initially be up for purchase in European countries before 2015 ends.

This modular phone carries a €525 price tag (approx. Php27K) and is currently up for pre-order. Head over to their website if you want to know more about who they are and what they do.

{Via} {Source}

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PuzzlePhone promises to last up to a decade with interchangeable modules

Carl Lamiel Leave a comment

If you’re looking for an alternative to the upcoming Project Ara smartphone by internet search giant Google, here’s one you can definitely check out: Finnish startup company Circular Devices have come up with a new modular phone concept they call the PuzzlePhone.

PuzzlePhone-backview

Following the footsteps of Google’s modular phone project, The PuzzlePhone also has modules — albeit simpler, with only three parts needed. It has the spine which consists of the  main buttons, speaker and microphone, and an LCD display that the company touts to last up to a decade; the brain which is composed of main components and can be developed for any specific purpose; and the heart, which is the battery and any secondary electronics that come along with it.

PuzzlePhone-parts

While the PuzzlePhone modules boast endless customizations with the customer’s needs like Project Ara, it can be interchanged in a snap, making it easy for the end-user to be able to upgrade or downgrade their device without any assistance. Need a bigger display? Just replace the spine. If you want more power, you can opt to replace the heart with a bigger battery capacity.

The PuzzlePhone will run on an unknown forked version of Google’s Android mobile operating system ready to be deployed with hardware labeled as PPC or PuzzlePhone Compatible. Circular Devices hopes to release their new smartphone and get it circulated (pun) and shipped in 2015.

Source | Via

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Project Ara pushes on, shows off a new working module

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

During a press preview held last weekend over in New York City, Google gave an update on what have been the latest developments for the smartphone that many are eagerly looking forward to – the unique Project Ara. They also showcased a new module that could very well open up new possibilities for the device.

projectara4

This first-of-its-kind smartphone previously encountered some bumps along the way, but their latest event proved that it’s not impossible for it to come to fruition. Paul Eremenko, Project Ara lead, successfully showed for the first time the device’s capability to hot-swap its modules without turning the entire handset off or removing the battery. It was explained that this was possible through an app that shuts down the modules so they could be safely removed (think USB removal method).

In addition, it also ran Angry Birds and played a video.

It also ran Angry Birds and played a video clip.

But what’s more interesting is that using a new module, Project Ara can now test blood oxygen levels of anyone by simply scanning a finger. Do keep in mind that this is still a prototype and we could just imagine what else it could do for us when it becomes a full-functioning, entirely module-based smartphone. Until then, we’d have to wait for their basic “grey” phone expected this coming January.

projectara5

As we’ve reported before, owning a working Project Ara phone could only cost you less than $100 or around Php4,400. From then, it’s up to you what different modules you want to put in – a nightvision camera, dual batteries, or three modules of memory. Whatever works for you. For more information on Project Ara, simply hit the link.

Here are a few more photos of the Project Ara from Android Central:

projectara2

 

projectara6

projectara3

{Via}

The post Project Ara pushes on, shows off a new working module appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Project Ara pushes on, shows off a new working module

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

During a press preview held last weekend over in New York City, Google gave an update on what have been the latest developments for the smartphone that many are eagerly looking forward to – the unique Project Ara. They also showcased a new module that could very well open up new possibilities for the device.

projectara4

This first-of-its-kind smartphone previously encountered some bumps along the way, but their latest event proved that it’s not impossible for it to come to fruition. Paul Eremenko, Project Ara lead, successfully showed for the first time the device’s capability to hot-swap its modules without turning the entire handset off or removing the battery. It was explained that this was possible through an app that shuts down the modules so they could be safely removed (think USB removal method).

In addition, it also ran Angry Birds and played a video.

It also ran Angry Birds and played a video clip.

But what’s more interesting is that using a new module, Project Ara can now test blood oxygen levels of anyone by simply scanning a finger. Do keep in mind that this is still a prototype and we could just imagine what else it could do for us when it becomes a full-functioning, entirely module-based smartphone. Until then, we’d have to wait for their basic “grey” phone expected this coming January.

projectara5

As we’ve reported before, owning a working Project Ara phone could only cost you less than $100 or around Php4,400. From then, it’s up to you what different modules you want to put in – a nightvision camera, dual batteries, or three modules of memory. Whatever works for you. For more information on Project Ara, simply hit the link.

Here are a few more photos of the Project Ara from Android Central:

projectara2

 

projectara6

projectara3

{Via}

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Project Ara to have Sennheiser’s audio expertise

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

Many have been waiting for the arrival of this module-based smartphone for the simple reason that you can just buy the specific parts you need to build your very own handset. Now, those who consider themselves audiophiles can appreciate this device even more as Sennheiser partners up with Phonebloks – the development group behind the awaited Project Ara by Google.

project ara prototype

The audio company behind today’s quality headphones has just announced partnership with the same group that‘s making Project Ara. For those unfamiliar, Project Ara is an upcoming smartphone that functions like a computer. From its basic state, users can add parts or modules one by one like a camera, processor, and in this case, Sennheiser speakers to be integrated into the phone.

While a working Project Ara would only cost under Php4,400, installing it with premium speakers like Sennheiser might significantly bump up its price. Although what you get in return is high-class sound system and improved speech functionality on your smartphone.

To know more about this handset, we have the highlights during the prototype demonstration on the link. Lastly, we should be seeing Project Ara around January next year and when we do, would you be interested in installing a Sennheiser component into it?

{Source}

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