A working prototype is expected to arrive as soon as April

Apr 8, 2014 20:01 GMT  ·  By

One of the devices that Google has been long said to be working on is Project Ara, which is expected to turn into a modular smartphone, aimed at providing users with increased flexibility when it comes to the hardware they want to see packed inside it.

Apparently, the development is in full swing, and a working prototype of the device is expected to be completed very soon, at least this is what a recent post on technologyreview notes.

Project Ara involves an aluminum endoskeleton that can accommodate eight hardware modules, and which is capable of sending and receiving data through an onboard network. It also sports two front-facing slots, which will allow for the addition of components such as a screen and a button panel.

The endoskeleton is not larger than a usual smartphone today, though it seems that Google is also considering the release of a larger version of the device.

With such a phone in their hands, users will be able to replace or upgrade parts of the device without discarding the rest of the phone. Moreover, the final device could be adapted to serve a variety of roles, it seems.

Components would be attached to the device with electropermanent magnets, which also help the entire design of the modular phone to be less bulky than one might expect.

Later this month, Google will hold the first Ara Developers Conference in Mountain View, and chances are that more info on the company’s plans for the device will be provided at that time, so stay tuned to learn more on the matter.