Ever since Google acquired Motorola Mobility back in 2011, the smartphone maker’s devices have changed, most notably in the area of design. Indeed, while Motorola’s device used to follow the same basic design language as its earlier Moto Droid models, more recent models offer a sleeker aesthetic. However, the real game changer came with the release of the Moto X earlier this year.
Not only does the Moto X represent a significant change for the Motorola smartphone lineup, it seems to be the first device to really show Google’s influence. In fact, the Moto X’s primary differentiator — the ability to be customized to an unprecedented degree via the Moto Maker online tool — seems wholly appropriate for the Android OS, which itself bears many forms.
Earlier this week, Motorola made it clearer than ever that it believes customization should be an essential aspect for mobile devices with the unveiling of Project Ara. The goal of this project is to create an open platform on which to create “highly modular smartphones.”
In other words, Project Ara would allow smartphone buyers complete control over every aspect of their device, including how it looks, where it’s made, what it’s made of, and how much it costs. Perhaps more importantly, Project Ara would allow users to keep their phone for much longer periods as even core hardware like the display and processor could be swapped out at will.
Such phones would be built around a basic frame, called an endoskeleton, which could be customized with various modules produced by Motorola and third-party manufacturers.
To help get the project up and running quickly, Motorola has teamed up with Phonebloks, which announced its own build-your-own-phone concept last month. Working together, the two companies expect to have the first version of a module developer’s kit available within a few months.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi 
QUICK LINKS 
