Project Ara with Project Fi

[Antonio Hurtado Jr.]

I recently recieved an invite to Project Fi! Yay! There are currently 3 devices available for Project Fi: Nexus 5X, 6, and 6P. I don't have the money to buy a $300+ phone right now and Im a college student with a spotty part time job so $20+ for the next 24 months may not be the best choice. So I have to wait awhile, my first concern was he invite may have an exp date. To make a short story shorter: No exp date on Project Fi invites. So I may wait for Ara's release but no confirmed network modules that wil be compatatible with Project Fi. Does anyone know of any planned network modules to be compatible with Project Fi? 

[D1080]

I've been keeping track of all known modules, you can take a look at them here: http://www.modularandroid.com/ara-modular-smartphone-modules/

We haven't heard of a module specifically being built to support Project Fi, but as sure as I am that Ara will have a display module (obviously) I am also sure that they will make a network module to support Project Fi, more likely something standard which also supports other wireless connectivity standards. In fact, it was more likely that Ara would support Project Fi than the Nexus devices, so you get my point. 

[Antonio Hurtado Jr.]

Yeah it's certain they will, I was just hoping somebody knew something I didn't like an update or Ara or any new modules announced. I have been looking at your articles. They're a great source.

[D1080]

I'm always on the lookout and digging for new modular info, if someone whispers i'll be around to hear it so stay tune to ModularAndroid for updates.

A few month ago a developer told me that Google demands that they all keep silent about their work, so it's really hard to get updates these days unless

Google lets something fall through the cracks. Ara isn't expected to be released till next year, but i'm pretty sure Google will spill something before the end of 2015 so keep an eye out.

[Garrett Kinsman]

Yes this will probably happen. It's just a cheapo GSM chipset. If you're buying these from Qualcomm (among others), in the millions, they are around $10 a pop (that's with LTE) The cost of a fi module will be just a few dollars more.

I'm currently using a Verizon phone, as their oligopoly results in very good coverage (It works way better than my appalling comcast connection in San Francisco). Since Verizon will likely not carry Ara, I will be looking for a new carrier as well. 

If I were Google, I would give you a module for free. Subsidizing a module will cost much less a $700 smartphone (especially if you build the module yourself). This will actually increase the ARPU, making Ara more profitable for any carrier. Fi currently gives out this swag "stuff" when you sign up:

image: zdnet  looks very Shenzhen-esque 

Since google will be building GSM modules at scale, we can swap out the chip compatible with Fi, then the cost per module should be much less that the items above (my guess: headphones $2, battery $8, case $1, labor/packaging $1).

To take this idea further, because of Google's business model, in a few years it may be economically feasible to give Ara devices away for free (especially as we enter the age of LTE direct chipsets). Colleges generally have a fiber optic internet connection, students should be able to access that and set up their own Wi-Fi/LTE networks. But thats a few years away...