re: Google's Unicorn: Is Project Ara closer than we think?

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The CPU, GPU, cell radios, and RAM are all baked into the exoskeleton of the phone and are not modular. At least in the first model they are trying to ship.

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I think that's how they plan to do it going forward, too. I read an article that says their market research said people just don't care about upgrading those things (or most don't even know what they do). Also building the guts into the frame saves space. I don't think it's too bad of a tradeoff though, since you would likely want to upgrade all of those at the same time anyway, so you'd just buy a new frame and pop your old modules in.

The news that's more concerning to me is that Google is locking down the ecosystem. There won't be "aftermarket" modules. All module developers must run through Google, and they will take a cut. It won't be an Apple-sized cut, but a cut nonetheless. I hope they commit to this project and do it right, or if/when they get bored with it I hope they open it fully.