CONNECT WITH US

Digitimes Research: Google is serious about Project Ara

Danny Kuo, DIGITIMES Research, Taipei 0

In April 2014, Google released modular design kits, held its first developer conference, as well as made commitments to release more specifications and a software roadmap for its Project Ara, and the global handset industry began to believe that Google is serious about the modularization of mobile phones, according to Digitimes Research.

Google has now completed measurement specifications for the framework for mini- and medium-size modular handsets and will decide the framework for large-size handsets later. Google's modular phones target all segments of the handset industry, including high-end smartphones as well as entry-level to mid-range feature phone segments.

Google is expected to engage in sales of basic frameworks but will leave hardware makers to design functional modules subject to compatibility validation by Google. The modular phones will then be sold through Google's online stores as well as other online shops.

If realized, the modularization will overturn the ecosystem of the current handset hardware industry. However, the development of modular phones still faces some challenges, including added thickness, increased material costs, more complicated designs and validation processes, commented Digitimes Research.

Content from this article was part of a complete Digitimes Research Chinese-language report that has not yet been translated into English. If you are interested in an English version of the report or wish to receive more information about the report, click here to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Digitimes Research also provides quarterly tracking services for market sectors such as China Smartphone, China Smartphone AP, Taiwan ICT and Taiwan FPD. Click here for more information about Digitimes Research Tracking services.