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Project Ara to have Sennheiser’s audio expertise

May 13, 2014May 13, 2014 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.

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?

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A working Project Ara phone only costs under Php4,400

April 17, 2014April 17, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

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!

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Google’s Project Ara prototype to finish “within weeks”

April 9, 2014April 9, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

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?

{Sources 1, 2} {Images}

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DIY smartphone Project Ara: What are your specs?

March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

So we’ve seen Samsung’s Galaxy S5 flagship phone. There’s also Sony’s Xperia Z2 and even the All-new HTC One. With these companies giving us a set of fixed specs, I say forget about all the hoopla for a second and instead, you tell us what you want to see in your smartphone when Google’s DIY Project Ara comes to fruition.

I’ll get this started. Here’s how I want my Project Ara:

4.7-inch body
1920 x 1080 display
20MP rear camera with Xenon flash and night vision
5MP wide-angle front camera
4K video recording
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
3GB RAM
64GB internal memory
Stereo speakers
Pico projector
2 x 2500mAh battery

Since I’m more of a multimedia guy, I want my specs to lean more towards imaging capabilities. I’d prefer a 20MP rear camera with 4K video capabilities and a Xenon bulb so I could effectively capture clear and blur-free images even at night, with the option of night vision widely-seen on Sony’s handycams. To share them, I’d get a Pico projector of some sort to easily show my latest photos or short films to my friends. Also, two battery modules to hot-swap!

The point of this article (besides publicly day-dreaming about our fantasy phones) is so that we realize the possibility of the future of smartphones as early as today. Google’s Project Ara is now undergoing developer conferences and could come early 2015 – which is just a year from now.

Would it be a hit to consumers like you? How much would it affect other smartphone manufacturers? Would their strategy change? If so, how? Only time will tell.

The post DIY smartphone Project Ara: What are your specs? appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

DIY smartphone Project Ara: What are your specs?

March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

I’ll get this started. Here’s how I want my Project Ara:

Would it be a hit to consumers like you? How much would it affect other smartphone manufacturers? Would their strategy change? If so, how? Only time will tell.

The post DIY smartphone Project Ara: What are your specs? appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.