Google's 'modular' phone unexpectedly appears.

Project Ara's concept is considered unfeasible in the modern smartphone era because it goes against the product development philosophy of current technology companies.

Three prototypes of Project Ara – Google's ambitious modular phone project that was later abandoned – have unexpectedly resurfaced on social media, sparking curiosity in the tech community. Photo: Racoondetectionsquad.

A TikTok account named “Racoondetectionsquad” recently gained attention for posting a series of videos and images of three Project Ara phone prototypes that the user possesses. Surprisingly, despite the project being discontinued in 2016, these devices can still power on and function perfectly normally. (Image: Racoondetectionsquad)

Videos have captured detailed information about Project Ara 's unique design , including a main frame and slots for attaching various functional modules such as cameras, speakers, or auxiliary batteries. Photo: Racoondetectionsquad.

A key feature is the modular component removal mechanism. Users can remove the modules by using a SIM ejector tool to activate a mechanical latch, or by directly issuing an "eject" command through a management tool in the device's software, similar to safely removing a USB drive on a computer. Image: Racoondetectionsquad.

These devices can even successfully boot the operating system, display the full home screen interface, and access the Android app drawer. Photo: Racoondetectionsquad.

Project Ara is one of Google's most ambitious hardware projects, first announced in 2013. The core idea is to create a "modular" phone that allows users to freely customize and upgrade it by disassembling and assembling modules. Google showcased the first prototype at the Google I/O 2014 event, generating significant interest among tech enthusiasts. Photo: Racoondetectionsquad.

However, in 2016, Google unexpectedly announced the project's discontinuation in order to streamline the company's hardware initiatives. The end of Project Ara was met with much regret in the tech community. The sudden reactivation of these prototypes has once again sparked curiosity about one of the most unique but short-lived ideas in smartphone history. Photo: Racoondetectionsquad.

The reappearance of Project Ara is reminiscent of a series of other groundbreaking but short-lived hardware projects by Google. Most notably, Google Glass (left), a smart glasses prototype that failed due to privacy concerns and high costs. Next is the Google Daydream platform (center), which was discontinued in 2019 because the mobile VR (virtual reality) market didn't grow as expected. Finally, there's the Nexus Q (right), a home entertainment device with an unusual spherical design but was too expensive and lacked features. The fact that prototypes like Ara are still functioning raises questions in the tech world about the necessity of persistence with revolutionary ideas and whether modular phones have a chance of "rebirth." Photo: Wired/Google.

Source: https://znews.vn/dien-thoai-lap-ghep-cua-google-bat-ngo-xuat-appear-post1599286.html