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Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

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Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#101

Post by netcan »

abruzzi wrote: post #93

Once upon a time, when I was younger, I felt very strongly that I needed a computer with everything replaceable. I wanted to replace a CPU when it got too slow, new graphics card, upgradable RAM, storage, etc. But I found that in the end while I'd make small upgrades, I still replaced my computers at close to the same rate. That because some standard that was built into the old machine was no longer fast enough or wi…

I think the PC analogy is wrong. I also framing this as money saving option is wrong.

The potential is in flexibility. Phones are small. Tradeoffs are substantial. Some people would prefer 50% more battery life at the expense of the camera or weight. Maybe someone can make an e-ink screen that will double battery life. Some people might want to spend $800 on the camera.

IMO, that's the benefit.

Commercially, I see this as something can keep buying add ons to. The market of people who buy 2-3 pricey covers for an ipad is legit. People like their phones and add ons might sell because people will just want to buy new things for them.

In that sense, maybe this will extend life a little or partially as you take some old modules with you, but that's not the point. The point is can flexibility let people make a phone they like better and enjoy doing it.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#102

Post by bane »

josefresco wrote: post #21
sdfx wrote: post #8

I think John Gruber over at Daring Fireball said it best: "I remain highly skeptical that a modular design can compete in a product category where size, weight, and battery life are at such a premium. Even if they can bring something to market, why would any normal person be interested in a phone like this?" http://daringfireball.net/linked/2014/04/15/project-ara

Size matters? My Android friends have huge phones (and cases) - Clearly they don't mind a phone being big and if the phone had cheap replaceable parts, that giant "life proof" case wouldn't be needed. Weight matters? I have never heard "I wish my phone was lighter" from anyone, anywhere. In fact I've heard from several who think a heavier phone means it's "better made". Battery life - Again my Android friends (and a…

If I could get an Android phone that's twice as thick as my current one, with the volume made up of a huge battery, regardless of how heavy it is, I'd buy it tomorrow. This obsession with thinness and lightness is something I frankly don't care about in the least.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#104

Post by bane »

higherpurpose wrote: post #12
sdfx wrote: post #8

I think John Gruber over at Daring Fireball said it best: "I remain highly skeptical that a modular design can compete in a product category where size, weight, and battery life are at such a premium. Even if they can bring something to market, why would any normal person be interested in a phone like this?" http://daringfireball.net/linked/2014/04/15/project-ara

He doesn't see any advantage to a modular phone? Then I don't think he's looking hard enough. I stand by my belief that Gruber has backed himself into a corner where he now needs to defend anything Apple does, and attack just about anything the competition does that is at least seen by others as a threat to Apple, if not by him.

As a result Gruber has made himself almost entirely irrelevant. I almost can't wait to watch him twist himself into knots when Apple releases a larger phone.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#105

Post by uxp100 »

divy wrote: post #59
andosa wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> So in the early days of a new market/category of product, the products are highly integrated Not sure about this one, seems like the opposite to me. Twenty years ago, PC's were very modular, and it was very common to add/upgrade a sound card, memory, cpu, video card etc. Fast forward to now, and for the most common computing devices (think tablets and smartphones), there is almost zero modularity or upgradability.…

You're forgetting the first wave of PC's - Apple II, TRS-80, TI-99, C64, etc. These machines had very little modularity compared to the wave of beige boxes that followed the IBM PC standard. I think Christensen even uses that as an example.

The S-100 buss based machines before those were very modular, if perhaps not PCs in the same sense.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#106

Post by habosa »

abruzzi wrote: post #93

Once upon a time, when I was younger, I felt very strongly that I needed a computer with everything replaceable. I wanted to replace a CPU when it got too slow, new graphics card, upgradable RAM, storage, etc. But I found that in the end while I'd make small upgrades, I still replaced my computers at close to the same rate. That because some standard that was built into the old machine was no longer fast enough or wi…

Small point in your thoughtful comment but I wanted to add that I had the exact same sensation when I got the iPod Nano first-gen. I got it as a gift and it only had 8GB capacity, I had 20GB+ of music at the time. Still, I almost decided to keep the nano over a full-sized iPod because it just felt so damn magical. I felt like I had the future in my pocket and I'd rather lose 60% of my music than let it go.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#107

Post by bane »

LarryMade2 wrote: post #42

Yeah, right. I remember computers built in the 90s and 2000s, touting their modular construction and never having to buy a new system again. I wonder if those machines are still in operation? I think what would guarantee longevity is something that is rock-solid good, inexpensive, repairable, and easy to develop on. I'm thinking of track records of computers like the Commodore 64, iMac, or in vehicles like the beetle…

You mean, pretty much any computer not made by Apple? Sure, I still have my home-rolled desktop from 7 years ago. I just put together a new machine earlier this year I expect to get at least that much life out of. I don't even buy top-spec parts, just good price/performance ratios for each part and cobble it together. And if something breaks I can fix it myself.

It's not too technical and not too hard to do. About as complicated as making a full dinner with main course, two side dishes and a dessert.

On the flip side, every other machine I've had that was closed, mostly laptops, but I'm thinking of my C64, and my Coco2, when the smallest piece died on those things, right into the trash they went. There's literally nothing you can do to fix them that doesn't involve an engineering degree and a lab.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#108

Post by donrhummy »

abruzzi wrote: post #93

Once upon a time, when I was younger, I felt very strongly that I needed a computer with everything replaceable. I wanted to replace a CPU when it got too slow, new graphics card, upgradable RAM, storage, etc. But I found that in the end while I'd make small upgrades, I still replaced my computers at close to the same rate. That because some standard that was built into the old machine was no longer fast enough or wi…

The difference is the base of the Project Ara phone, the exoskeleton, is only $15 to replace. So if they change that, you're looking at paying $15. With PCs, the base still costs $150-200 in most cheap options and significantly more in others.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#109

Post by bane »

jacquesm wrote: post #2

The first time I saw a modular phone was long ago (2000) in the lab of a very large hardware company where they had a prototype from a start-up they'd invested in. It was made like a deck of cards, cpu, display/kbd, battery and cell components could all be swapped out. There even was a camera module for the back. It didn't make it. The main reasons iirc were that people see phones as integrated wholes, that contacts…

> that contacts breed failure

Just like in software, the interfaces are where the complexity lies.

Re: Project Ara – Google's modular phone project

#110

Post by eli »

bane wrote: post #102
josefresco wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Size matters? My Android friends have huge phones (and cases) - Clearly they don't mind a phone being big and if the phone had cheap replaceable parts, that giant "life proof" case wouldn't be needed. Weight matters? I have never heard "I wish my phone was lighter" from anyone, anywhere. In fact I've heard from several who think a heavier phone means it's "better made". Battery life - Again my Android friends (and a…

If I could get an Android phone that's twice as thick as my current one, with the volume made up of a huge battery, regardless of how heavy it is, I'd buy it tomorrow. This obsession with thinness and lightness is something I frankly don't care about in the least.

Then I've got great news for you: http://gorillagadgets.com/

I've got one myself and it works exactly as you describe -- heavier, nearly twice as thick, but with roughly twice as much juice.

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