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IPFS News Link • Communications

Google's Project ARA to get trial run in Puerto Rico

• http://www.gizmag.com, By David Nield

The update came at Project Ara's second annual developer conference held at Google's headquarters in in Mountain View, California.

If you're new to Project Ara, the idea is that you create your own smartphone from various pieces: camera, memory, processor, speakers, and so on. If you want a high-end camera but need to save money on the audio capabilities, for example, then Google's new concept makes it possible. The idea was first aired by Dutch designer Dave Hakkens with his PhoneBloks concept before it was picked up by Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) division.

It also makes upgrades much more straightforward, because you don't have to toss out your aging smartphone if you just need a memory boost – you can simply slide in a new module. Eventually, it will even be possible to swap out a drained battery for a freshly charged one on the go. The Spiral 2 prototype demoed by Google this week is the first model to get up and running and sported a 720p display, though there's still a long way to go before a full consumer launch.