Google will begin a trial of its Project Ara modular smartphone concept (Display Monitor Vol 20 No 48) in Puerto Rico this year. The trial will take place in partnership with Mexican carrier Claro and local carrier Open Mobile.
Project Ara is based around a central ‘core’, with users adding their own modules to increase the size of the display, improve the camera, add a pedometer or more.
Puerto Rico was chosen for the trial because 90% of the population of 3.7 million people use a mobile phone, and 77% of internet access takes place through mobile devices. The phone and modules will be sold through free-standing stores, beginning in the capital of San Juan and later in other areas.
