Google today provided an update concerning its Project Ara modular smartphone. The company is moving ahead slowly, though it plans to launch a trial version of the phone during the second half of the year.
The test device will only be available in Puerto Rico through the OpenMobile and Claro carriers. People who buy the phone will have access to the Ara Marketplace and Ara Configurator apps, along with 20 to 30 modules for customizing their handsets. Google said it needs to fully test what it’s doing right and what it’s doing wrong with the platform before it considers a wider launch.
Project Ara head Paul Eremenko said is working hard to make sure the modules are robust and hot-swappable with its Spiral 2 platform. Once Spiral 2 is on solid ground, it will push forward with Spiral 3 and improve modules with more advanced capabilities. Only after Spiral 3 is tested will Project Ara be ready for a full market pilot. Google updated the Project Ara developer tools last months.
