Google Inc. announced Monday it will soon send out Module Developers Kits (MDKs) for its Project Ara plan to developers to create parts for the module smartphone.
The hardware will be sent to developers by the end of the month, and the search giant is looking to release the smartphone next year, according to Forbes.
The company has started to accept applications from developers to test the device. It added that only a limited amount of dev boards are currently available, so only the most innovative concepts will be considered.
Google came up with the idea for Project Ara as a way to prevent users from buying pre-made smartphones and letting them customize their mobile devices with the hardware they want, Forbes reported.
A mainboard with different components will be provided with the module phone, and users will be able to swap out different pieces to put their device together. Parts that users will be able to customize include RAM, processors, cameras, and batteries.
The Ara MDK was first introduced by Google before its annual I/O develop conference. The presentation included a demonstration of the 'Spiral One' Ara prototype, ZDNet reported. The event also included Google's announcement of the Ara Developer Prize Challenge, for which the creator of the best Ara module will win $100,000.
Companies, academics, and hobbyists are able to apply for the dev boards, and each organization is limited to sending in one application. Google said it will rank requests based on "technical experience" and the "strength" of the concepts.
Developers looking to get their hands on a Project Ara MDK have until Thursday, July 17th, to send Google their applications, CNET reported. The first developers to receive the kits will get them before the end of July, and a second round of applications will be delivered on August 17th.
