The launch of Google's Project Ara modular smartphone has been pushed to 2016.
In January, Google said it would start selling its customizable smartphone in Puerto Rico as part of a pilot program in late 2015. Last week, the team said it decided not to launch in Puerto Rico and would push the launch into 2016.
Where are we headed next? We are looking at a few locations in the U.S. #ProjectAra #newlocationcomingsoon — Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 17, 2015
When? 2016. #yeswearelate #ProjectAra — Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 17, 2015
Why? Lots of iterations... more than we thought. #ProjectAra — Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 17, 2015
This is not goodbye to Puerto Rico—or Project Ara—the team promised.
And this is not goodbye Puerto Rico! Nos vemos en el futuro! #ProjectAra #tilwemeetagain
— Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 13, 2015
And don't worry... #ProjectAra isn't going anywhere! #justrecalculating
— Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 13, 2015
Project Ara is housed within Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group. The team was unveiled in October 2013, and tasked with doing for hardware what the Android platform has done for software: create a vibrant third-party developer ecosystem.
In April 2014, Google's team showed off a prototype of the phone's structural frame, highlighting electro-permanent magnets which keep in place components like an application processor, keyboard, extra battery, or pulse oximeter.
In March, relative unknown Yezz showed off 11 modules (pictured above) during this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The announcement comes just days after Google launched its new company, Alphabet, which will oversee Google and the various side projects in which the search giant has invested—including Ara. As part of the change, Sundar Pichai—senior vice president of Android, Chrome, and Apps—will replace Larry Page as CEO of Google.