Project Ara custom Smartphone which users can build/upgrade themselves

[froggyboy604]

Project Ara is a new modular computing platform, allowing devices to be customized for style and function. Choose your high-res camera, add a louder speaker, swap in a better battery. Imagine the possibilities. And we’re releasing a developer kit with device later this year. Check for updates here: http://g.co/ara and follow us on twitter @ProjectAra

This looks like a good smartphone for people who want to build and upgrade their own smartphone instead of buying a new one every few years.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Is there any build your own smartphones out there besides this? If not, a complete untapped market.

 

[froggyboy604]

Is there any build your own smartphones out there besides this? If not, a complete untapped market.

No, there are currently not any popular build your own smartphones which are easy to build with blocks. I think some Asian companies also created a demo unit of a buildable smartphone.

There have been a person who made a phone with a Raspberry Pi Mini computers. It is not as easy to convert the Raspberry Pi into a phone like using blocks to assemble a smartphone. But, you can use Linux compatible programs like Gimp, Libreoffice, IceWeasel/Firefox web browser and play games like Quake 3 and Doom.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Then its an untapped market that is sure to explode.