Google Reveals New Project Ara Prototype; Module Marketplace in Works

Google, ahead of the second Project Ara Module Developers Conference scheduled for January, has given a sneak peek of the new Spiral 2 prototype hardware. Additionally, Globant, a software company, announced that it is developing the new Ara Marketplace.

In a Google+ post, Google ATAP team writes, "The Project Ara Module Developers Conference is fast approaching, and so is the Spiral 2 prototype hardware and v0.20 release of the Module Developers Kit (MDK). We're getting excited and hope you are too! So excited in fact, that we wanted to give you a sneak peek at one of the new Spiral 2 PCBs hot off the SMT, and make an announcement about the event."

The company even shared an image of the new Spiral 2 PCB (printed circuit board) prototype. Phonebloks in its blog explains, "This new device will have the benefit of Toshiba building custom chips, leaving more free space available for the developer's functions. The new prototype will also have improved electromagnetic couplings for the modules (Epm)."

The company, apart from showcasing the new Spiral 2 PCB, also announced that it will live stream the second Project Ara Module Developers Conference scheduled for January 14 at Mountain View, Buenos Aires, London, and New York, and January 21 at Singapore, Bangalore, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo.

It said, "We have received messages from many of you that you can't join us in person, but would still like to participate in the event. We hear you, and that's why we're announcing today that we will be livestreaming the events from both the Mountain View and Singapore sites globally for free."

An update about the much-rumoured Ara marketplace came from Globant that announced its partnership with Google ATAP. The company claims that utilising its service, users will be able to browse through various modules (processors, memories, and cameras etc.) for the Ara phone and even buy them. Phonebloks blog writes, "Just like the Google Play store, the Ara Marketplace will feature user reviews of different modules and recommendations from early buyers."

In addition to marketplace, the Ara module Marketplace will have its own mobile app, which is being developed by Two Toasters. Notably, the company has previously worked on various native apps for iOS and Android.