Google has released the Module Developers Kit for Project Ara.
The Module Developers Kit (MDK) defines the Ara platform for module developers and provides reference implementations for various design features. The Ara platform consists of an on-device packet-switched data network based on the MIPI UniPro protocol stack, a flexible power bus, and an elegant industrial design that mechanically unites the modules with an endoskeleton. Throughout 2014, the Project Ara team will be working on a series of alpha and beta MDK releases. We welcome developer input to the MDK: either through the Ara Module Developers mailing list/forum or at one of the series of Developers Conferences.
These phones will be crazy flexible in their design – and they look pretty good too. I don’t know if it’ll be a small niche or a runaway success, but I definitely appreciate them for trying to do something different.
… although I see “3 comments” in the post footer.
Fixed with my comment, actually
Not much excites me in the mobile phone world at this point, because things seem to have basically plateaued (i.e. all the basic needs are covered, and new features offer diminishing returns). But this could be really nice.
#1 for me is reducing electronic waste, which is a huge problem. The other thing is allowing us to make our own cost / feature compromises, as well as hopefully offering more options in general (including some oddball ones).
I will be keeping an eye on this.