Google temporarily suspends Project Ara

Project Ara was innovative and ambitious. While it would be a shame not to see the Google brand when released, it’s good to know that the company hasn’t completely abandoned the idea. Image INQUIRER.net

Once upon a time Google dreamed of a modular phone that could swap out parts to allow for almost limitless customizability. Unfortunately dreams sometimes need to be put on hold as Google recently “suspended” Project Ara.

According to The Verge, the company may license the technology to other partners instead of releasing a phone itself. This would be similar to previous Nexus phones where different manufacturers had their turn in making the latest Nexus smartphone.

Project Ara is more than a little ambitious and Google even announced renewed effort in pushing the modular concept at the I/O conference held earlier this year. It went as far as promising a developed version for fall with a consumer version entering the market by 2017.

Had Google continued with Project Ara, it would have been the first device to be released under the Google banner. But it seems the company is planning for the Nexus to take that spot.

Project Ara was initially announced by Motorola almost three years ago and was then developed by the Advanced Technology and Projects Group within the company.  Alfred Bayle