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Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by Zigurd on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @08:09AM (#7597223)
I give this about a 5% chance of success, and 1% market share, maybe less, if it does succeed. That's still more than 10 million units per year, so not a failure. But this isn't going to be your next phone.

If it falls much below that unit volume, the scheme implodes because the optional components will not find enough of a market to get manufactured.

In order to succeed, the internal connectivity scheme needs to not go obsolete over at least two, and preferably three product generations.

It also needs to find a market. People still build their own PCs for gaming, for lab automation, and other distinctly minority pursuits. So far, the niche for this product seems to be "people who find the idea attractive but can't articulate an actual need."

Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by Zak on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @08:26AM (#7597303)
But this isn't going to be your next phone.

This is Hacker News, where people are disproportionately far more likely to buy such a thing than the average consumer. I would expect to see the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 significantly overrepresented here as well; the only people I know in person who own them are hackers.

Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by silverlake on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @09:25AM (#7597563)
Drop the screen and add specialty sensors: you've got the Internet of Things.
Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by blah314 on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @08:15AM (#7597241)
If all my module slots can go to batteries, I'll be tempted.
Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by higherpurpose on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @08:25AM (#7597296)
I think they said at least 2 modules can be used as battery (the larger ones).
Re:Project Ara – Google's modular phone project by eloisant on Wednesday April 16, 2014 @09:41AM (#7597652)
Hmm, battery without CPU or storage won't lead you far.