Forget the Android Silver program. The next big thing to come from Google is actually Project Ara. It is basically a move to allow consumers to design and build their own smartphones.
Google has already revealed that every consumer will have to start by picking up an Endoskeleton mainframe before being able to pick the parts and hardwares. The Endoskeleton will come with many blocks and each block can be assigned to a specific hardware like processors and such.
Obviously, this is going to be exciting as consumers will no longer have to buy a smartphone as how the developers want them to. Of course, there are already many worries concerning Project Ara.
For starters, there is a chance that the smartphone is going to cost more than another device with the same specs. Well, that is something unescapable since Project Ara tailor the smartphones for every different consumer.
Then, there is also the issue where some parts are not compatible with one another. For example, an 8MP rear camera won’t run if it is powered by a small processor. Google will have to figure out a way to educate consumers and filter the hardware pairings to overcome this.
Of course, it is still too early to speak of Project Ara and it is best to wait until MWC next week for more details on the device. Even so, this cannot hide the advantage of a fully customizable smartphone where consumers are able to swap any parts anytime they wish.
