Google ‘Project Ara’ Release Date: Features & Price Details, Launching January 2015

Google's game-changer modular phone, Project Ara is set to arrive during the Project Ara Module Developers Conference on January 14, 2015 in Mountain View, California.

A demo of the first Project Ara working prototype as well as the launch of the Ara Module Developers Kit (MDK): version 0.20 will be unveiled at the conference.

Ermenko revealed that Google will reportedly open a special online store for Ara components. Since the MDK is free and available to all, anyone could create a module and sell it through the store. However, those modules would be "unofficial."

"The Ara MDK is free and open and available to everybody, so everybody could create a module per the specifications of the developer's kit and put it in the Ara module marketplace, which is analogous to the Google Play store, and sell directly to consumers," said Paul Ermenko, Project Ara team leader.

The first prototype which is said to use a modified version of Android L, will reportedly allow the individual components, or modules to be swappable without completely turning the device off.

Google introduced the world's first modular smartphone with a structural frame that the users can swap out components such as the storage or camera, putting the personalized phone on a whole new level.

The device will sport a gray structural frame, called "endo" giving the users a blank slate to be creative and customize their own devices according to their liking.

Users can also choose between a myriad of modules which include a gaming controller, physical keyboard, speakers, varying size battery packs, several connectivity modules like modems and ports and a rumor of a "selfie" camera that will most likely appeal to the masses.

Meanwhile, the modular smartphone is said to retail at around $50. However, that price tag would not include cellular connectivity, just Wi-Fi.

However, the retail price will be more than $50 since users will have to shell out money for the modules, including a screen, processor, storage and communication modules.