Google’s increasingly compelling Project Ara modular smartphone has a contender. Startup Vsenn, co-founded by a former program manager of the Nokia’s short-lived Android-based Nokia X initiative, aims to give it a run for its money — and focus on privacy.
The start-up is new. Very new. So new that its website is just a single page. But what we do know is that Vsenn isn’t taking quite the same tack as Google. Unlike Project Ara, Vsenn will only have three swappable components — its camera, battery and processor/RAM. It seems the aim here isn’t tricked out customisation, but a rather more humble upgradability. Which is… well, not a bad idea.
The startup promises that the devices will have three layers of encryption, free access to a VPN network and secure cloud service, too. The first model will apparently feature a 4.7-inch full HD screen and run stock Android. All of which sounds promising, if it works. Unfortunately, that’s quite a big if. [Vsenn via Android Central via Engadget]