Puzzlephone Plans to Bring Some Competition to Google’s Project Ara


PuzzlePhoneWith the way technology is constantly changing and upgrading, it's easy to get frustrated when you know your device will soon become obsolete. That's definitely the case with smartphones. As soon as your contract runs out and you're ready to get that free phone, the latest iPhone 6 hits the shelves. So, if you're like me, you stick with the free option, only wishing you could catch up with the rest of society, just once! What better solution than a modular smartphone that could be upgradable on the fly? That is the idea behind Google's Project Ara, a smartphone announced earlier this year. But with Project Ara finally releasing next month, it's about time some competitors get in the modular game. A Finnish company called Circular Devices has been hard at work creating their Puzzlephone, a good looking, simpler contender to the Ara.

PuzzlePhone1Puzzlephone is being called a simpler alternative to Project Ara because of its design. Rather than replacing things piece-by-piece, Puzzlephone has just three major elements you can replace. These are “the Brain”, which houses the core electronics and camera, “the Spine's” display, and “the Heart”, where secondary electronics, such as the processor and battery are located. According to Next Web, Puzzlephone should be customizable to the point of choosing what components you want to take up the most space. This means you could enjoy having a big battery and several sensors rather than a high-quality camera.

PuzzlePhone2Sure, the ability to swap out every individual phone piece means for a truly customizable experience. On the other hand, fewer choices might be more desirable to consumers. It also encourages less spending for the exact same swappable scenario. The modular arena is in definite need of some pizazz, considering the smartphone market is “deeply invested in making the thinnest, most powerful machine they can sell for under $800”(Geek). So will the less complicated Puzzlephone come across as more approachable? Sure, if it ends up looking as stylish and functional as the mockups shown on the Circular Devices website. We will have to wait until 2015, once the company is done manufacturing the product, to give it a try.

Topics: Technology News Battery & Power Technology Display Screen Technology Smartphones & Mobile Devices

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