Project Ara lives: Release the modular Phones in 2017

Yes, it's still alive! At the Google I / O 2016, the search engine giant has first raised back to the modular smartphone Project Ara long time. A retail version of the mobile phone to celebrate his release in 2017 finally.

2013 unveiled Google the first time that the company is working under the codename Project Ara on a modular smartphone - 2017 is now possible to buy a retail version of the mobile phone finally. That explained Google on Friday to its developers conference I / O and also launched a new equal Ara website. An early prototype of Project Ara should even appear in the autumn 2016th but price and exact release dates are not fixed yet.

Project Ara: sleeps six freely selectable modules
At the Google I / O 2016 working prototype of Project Ara was immediately presented. The highlight of the smartphone, the user can use their own modules on the back, for example, other hardware components or speakers if desired. With an "OK Google" command Project Ara raises the modules even from himself. The Android smartphone has a total of six module slots, which are all connected by the standard Unipro. Compared to the first prototype, the new project ara model unequal quality and noble acts. At least in the development version, however, battery, processor and display are not interchangeable.

For the development of the modular smartphones the project, according to The Verge also from Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP) is dissolved out and gets with Rick Osterloh also still the same a new hardware-chief. Project Ara is the first smartphone that Google is building their own. The Nexus devices of the search giants have so far always made by partners such as Huawei, HTC or LG. LG already has with the LG G5 Although a modular smartphone, the basic principle about the camera module Cam Plus works there but slightly different.

Android N will support the release not 3D Touch

Android N should not support 3D Touch to release apparently did. Google admits the pressure-intensive displays currently apparently only a small priority and instead focuses on other areas such as virtual reality.

Android N will probably not support 3D touch even during release. (© 2016 Google)

With its 3D touch displays on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus Apple still has a unique feature, the offer so far only a few smartphones competition. Only the Huawei Mate S and ZTE Axon Mini offer so far a similar control feature. This should also only times remain so because Android developers Google acknowledges 3D Touch apparently currently only a minor role in. So to support the release not 3D touch operation also Android N as Recode reported, citing anonymous sources.

3D Touch is on Google's list, but not at the top
It initially had actually looked as if Android N support 3D Touch-like operation. Corresponding indications had appeared a few weeks ago in the preview versions of the new operating system. However, the priorities of the developers seem to have now shifted so that the 3D touch features may be supplied only with a later update.

VR important than 3D Touch?
One reason could be the focus Google to another important trend. So the software giant apparently working feverishly on a virtual reality version of Android that could bear the name Android VR and is expected to come on virtual reality goggles for use in future. A special glasses will be presented next Wednesday at the Google I / O 2016 apparently. Google itself has so far not expressed loudly Recode to lack of 3D Touch. Who knows, maybe surprise the company to its developers conference were yet with a new operating concept, which supports 3D Touch.