Video Shows Off Working Project Ara Prototype, 'Spiral 2' Model Will Appear At Module Developers Conference In January 2015

Project Ara stirred up plenty of excitement when it was first announced, and it continues to entice people with its promise of a modular and upgradeable phone. We recently learned that users will be able to hot-swap modules (excluding the CPU and screen) while the device is on thanks to a modified version of Android L.

Now Phonebloks has shared a video of the work being done at NK Labs, a Massachusetts-based contractor doing a great deal of work on the project. In it, we see an updated version of the prototype demoed at Google I/O.

Towards the end of this presentation, we hear that a second prototype, known as Spiral 2, will provide more of the device's space to developers and resources. Thanks to custom chips from Toshiba, the model will no longer devote over 50% of its space towards modularity.

The team is working towards rolling out a limited market pilot in 2015. There isn't a final price yet, but the components of the entry-level device will fall in the $50 to $100 range. The cost of individual pieces will appear in the future Ara Module Marketplace.

Look for the Spiral 2 prototype at the upcoming Project Ara Module Developers Conference in January, along with version .20 of the Ara Module Developers Kit. The first event will take place in Mountain View on January 14th and beam out to Google offices in New York, Buenos Aires, and London.

A second, identical event will occur in Singapore on January 21st and project out to Bangalore, Tokyo, Taipei, and Shanghai. Speakers will be at both, and Project Ara team members will be present at each of the satellite offices.

The deadline to apply is on November 26th. Applicants will hear back by December 2nd whether they're invited, at which point the $25-$200 fee will be due.

Sources: Phonebloks, Twitter, Google+

Bertel King, Jr.

Born and raised in the rural South, Bertel knows what it's like to live without 4G LTE - or 3G, for that matter. The only things he likes sweeter than his tea are his gadgets, and while few objects burn more than a metal phone on a summer day, he prefers them that way anyway.

source: androidpolice