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Google Project Ara Design Will Use Electro-Permanent Magnets To Lock In Modules
MojoKid writes: "Google's Project Ara, an effort to develop a modular smartphone platform, sounded at first as much like vaporware, but Google is actually making it happen. In an upbeat video, Dave Hakkens (the guy who created the Phonebloks design that appears to be the conceptual basis for Project Ara) visited the Google campus to see what progress is being made on the project. The teams working on Project Ara have figured out a key solution to one of the first problems they encountered, which was how to keep all the modules stuck together. They decided to use electro-permanent magnets. In terms of design, they've decided not to cover up the modules, instead making their very modularity part of the aesthetic appeal. 3D Systems is involved on campus, as they're delivering the 3D printing technology to make covers for the modules."
Actually, that has been one of the major roadblocks. Figuring out a strong method of locking the modules in is a great step forward. I could be remembering incorrectly, but I believe they were going to make it so you would run an app on your phone to "unlock" the module(s) so you could remove/replace them, then "lock" them back when you were done.
I am very excited for this technology, just like I was for the original Android G1 on T-Mobile. I am sure it will be a little iffy at times, much like the G1 was, but it will find its place, and become quite a hit, I expect.
Its electro permanent. Meaning it requires a power to connect and to disconnect, but no power to remain connected.
Even if you never switch modules, the ability to personalize the hardware in your phone is amazing. Even if I never even take a module out, being able to have a phone with 3x battery size than all others, and a much more accurate GPS would be amazing. (I play Ingress a lot)
I believe another rudimentary idea was for a photographer to get a better camera module, and an extra storage module, that way they have a nice camera on them at all times in case they do not have their "real" equipment with them. Again, even if they never switch modules, just being able to have a phone built to fit your use case is astounding to me.
It allows you to build and upgrade your phone a piece at a time.
I think the biggest draw for me would be "replace your screen after you drop it". Feature :)
You're not the target demographic. That doesn't mean it's a bad idea. These kinds of phones will be bought by tech nerds in their 20s. The same guys that built Ham radios, maybe hotrods, later the first pcs, and after that the who modular IBMPC / overclocking crowd.
As a vendor, you can sell them an expensive phone, and then license the modules to other companies and rake in the cash as they make marginal improvements to a module yet charge double. There's always that guy that has the $3000 video card... why not take his money?
Because a mechanical connector is too good for them and we're all anxious for new ways to waste battery power and wipe our mag stripes.
No power is required to maintain the connection. Did you know that the Internet has search engines? Google for "electro-permanent magnet" and the first link will be this Wikipedia page.
If it's not intended for the masses, then it's going to fail on all important points:
- it will be bigger/thicker than current all-in-one phones because each module will be its own box with its own case and you need space for the magnets and inter-modular connections
- it means it will cost even more than current all-in-one phones
- it means it won't get manufactured in enough quantities to make a difference in the waste produced by all-in-one phones
Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
Want to update at a later time? Not a problem! Swap out that tired old dual-core ARMv7 for the latest dohexa-core 64-bit ARMv11! Running out of RAM too often? Throw another 2GB in there. Find you're taking more pictures than you thought? Swap out the basic 4MP shooter for a 28MP beast! Want to do work with 3D mapping? Add a second camera!
The idea is to make phones as modular as (or even more so than) a home PC.
I have an idea I should consider patenting, but I can't help myself An interchangeable battery !!
If it's not intended for the masses, then it's going to fail on all important points:
- it will be bigger/thicker than current all-in-one phones because each module will be its own box with its own case and you need space for the magnets and inter-modular connections
- it means it will cost even more than current all-in-one phones
- it means it won't get manufactured in enough quantities to make a difference in the waste produced by all-in-one phones
Your reasons for it to fail (as listed here) are still reasons that would make a device _INTENDED FOR THE MASSES_ fail. There are products that are intended for niche markets that still succeed, and this project will succeed or fail based on those criteria, not your strawman criteria.