Google plans to launch the first modular smartphones based on Project Ara in early 2015, and the head of the project says a working prototype will be shown off at the next Project Ara developer conference in December.

He’s also giving a few more details about exactly how the phones will work.

Project Ara is a platform that lets you customize a phone by choosing the components you want… and you can upgrade or change modules at any time. Think you might want a higher-resolution screen, a faster processor, or an infrared camera? The solution might be a module away.

Project lead Paul Eremenko says the phones will run a custom version of Google Android L software which will support hot-swapping. That means you’ll be able to replace most modules without even turning off your phone.

You’ll still need to reboot your device to replace a CPU or display… but that’s hardly surprising. Hot-swapping could let you do some nifty things like changing camera lenses or sensors on the fly, or connecting an extra battery when you need longer run time.

via Android Police

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