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You may have heard of Google’s Project Ara, which has the potential to change the way you purchase your next phone by letting you swap out modules to mix and match specs to your liking. Recently, another company called Vsenn threw its hat into the modular smartphone ring, and Wednesday they announced that you will be able to flash Paranoid Android on your new Vsenn device without losing your warranty.
Paranoid Android is one of the most popular ROMs in the Nexus community (along with some popular “legacy” devices with “unofficial” builds), and it’s the first to be included in Vsenn’s “Approved ROM Program”. Vsenn was co-founded by former Nokia X program manager (we all know how the Nokia X turned out, right?) and it’s still in its infancy, thus it remains to be seen whether or when a Vsenn phone will ever see the light of day. Still, it’s interesting to see an Android OEM publicly pledge to continue to honor your warranty after you flash a custom ROM.
As for Paranoid Android, some of its most popular features include a Recents feature that almost resembles that of Lollipop, Dynamic System Bars that automatically adapt to blend in with the active app window, PIE controls to replace your navigation bar, and Hover, which opens apps in a floating window when triggered from notifications. Presumably, Lollipop will be well-established by the time the first Vsenn device hits the market, so it remains to be seen whether it will launch with the current KitKat Paranoid Android builds available or a Lollipop version with a new take on the Recents feature.
It’s unclear what standards a ROM must meet to be included in this “Approved ROM Program” but I’d imagine a certain level of stability would be required. Vsenn did have the following to say about its rather unique program:
The roms developed under the ARP program will keep all the advanced proprietary functions, like noise reduction algorithms, of the original Vsenn software.
We welcome all the independent rom communities and creators to be a part of the ARP program.
We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge.
Hmm sounds interesting, but maybe not as modular as aura. Very cool about paranoid android, wonder if this will lead to something similar like the cyanogen and the +1 phone.
I honestly am very excited to hear this news but I also feel that I don’t want it to lead to what has become of cyanogen and the +1 phone.
Selling out is good. But the cyanosellout was too much. I loved PA on my nexus 7 2012.
I’m so excited about Ara, the modular concept is awesome. I have this feeling that it’s never going to make it to market though. Someone reassure me haha
I think it’s something that is cool, but fairly limited in appeal. When desktops were popular, what percentage actually performed any upgrades? Now that notebooks and tablets are more popular, even fewer do any upgrades. Most people still want their phone to be a phone and after that a social media/handheld gaming device. Smartphones have pretty much reached the point where they can do what most people need them to do for several years (even past the 2 year contract/payment period), so it’s likely to look worse for wear before the performance degrades.
Since I’ve only seen the Ara prototype videos, does anyone know if they plan on a cover for the back. No matter the technology, I think a solid back would be easier to sell than leaving the modules visible and give off the idea they could fall off.
You’re absolutely right. I hardly even make calls anymore, just text.
And I’d imagine that the modules will fit pretty snug but covers will probably be just another add-on/customizable accerssory.
How about just flashing Paranoid Android on the ARA when it comes out? I wouldn’t back a knockoff. Especially know that the first Project ARA devices are supposed to start off around $50
Sooooo, why cant vsenn work with ara instead of re-inventing the wheel (giving the chance of doing so poorly)?
Project Ara will be much more open than this. Also lets you swap much more than a few components. I wonder if project Ara could run something besides android like ubuntu or maybe windows?