New Video By Google Shows PhoneBloks Prototype In Action

With the first Project Ara developer conference to take place in almost two weeks, the dream of a modular phone platform is moving closer to reality. If completed, we will have access to a range of personalized phones made from small bricks (each with their own functions).

The user of the phone will be able to customize his or her phone and swap blocks to make it better suited for his lifestyle. As good as it sounds, Project Ara is not just a concept. The video below introduces members of the Project Ara team and also shows how they have engineered the blocks to fit together to make a complete phone.

The blocks are held together with a combination of electromagnets that require power and permanent magnets that don’t need any power source. This will allow the modular bricks to stay in place even when the phone is off.

Another interesting feature is the Project Ara will produce phone platforms in three different sizes that can be customized. This just goes to show how serious the team is to make this phone popular among the masses, since there isn’t just one perfect size for a handset. Obviously, the small
platform will restrict your degree of customization as you will have less space for bricks until multitasking bricks are developed, at least.