According to Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team, Google will have its first of many Google Project Ara Developers’ Conferences in April, as reported by SlashGear. At the conference, Google will highlight the details of its modular Ara smartphone and kick off a competition for new component developers. The competition will mainly be held online, but a small number of developers will be invited to see Google’s Ara team present the current prototype at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The Google Project Ara team will also give developers access to the Alpha Ara Module Developers’ Kit (MDK).

The Upcoming MDK Release

The Ara will be quite unique because it will be composed of small, interchangeable pieces of hardware. It is expected that multiple models of the phone may be available upon its initial release.

The MDK prototype is expected to be released around the beginning of April, according to Google, and specs will be shared with developers so they may create their own hardware pieces. The Ara team will then accept feedback from developers. This gives developers an opportunity to hit the ground running even before the search giant finalizes its plans for Google Project Ara, and win prizes if their design is judged to be one of the best.

Low Price Point

Ara’s low-cost option may be sold at the $50 price point, although it is expected that the definition of “smartphone” may be stretched by this unique piece of mobile hardware. Rumors say that the low-cost option will have Wi-Fi capabilities without a cellular connection, but ATAP noted that consumers who adopt the low-cost option will likely buy add-ons as they go, turning their handsets into highly functional devices with advanced capabilities.

ATAP has not specified when and where marketing will begin, but it is planning to make the modular smartphone very expandable. ATAP told TIME that the Ara will be released in three different sizes—mini, medium, and jumbo—ranging from a small phone to a tablet/phone hybrid, popularly labeled a “phablet.” It appears that the Ara’s size is its only feature that will not be modular.

What unique hardware pieces would you hope to see developed for the Ara?

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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Luckily, college basketball fans have several mobile apps to choose from to keep track of the latest scores, build their brackets, and watch the games live.

March Madness Live (iOS, Android, and Windows 8)

March Madness Live, the official March Madness app, is the best way to watch the games on a mobile device, bar none. You can stream the games live onto your tablet or smartphone, or use the app as a second screen while watching at home to keep up with scores, brackets, and live updates from other games. If you’re really short on time, you can use the app to view highlights from each game, no matter where you may roam.

WatchESPN (Free, iOS and Android)

Don’t miss a second of the NCAA Tournament action with WatchESPN. This app lets you stream live games to any of your devices. While the app is free, you will need to input your cable provider information to use it. You can use this app in conjunction with the ESPN Bracket Bound (Free, iOS and Android) app, which offers up-to-date information about every team and player participating in the games. View stats, make predictions about who will go pro, and watch highlights from the best games.

Slingbox

Rather than going the app route, you may want to use a device like Slingbox that simply allows you to watch live TV through your mobile device. Compatible with Apple, Android, and Windows 8 devices, the Slingbox transmits live TV programming to your tablet, smartphone, or laptop with the SlingPlayer app ($14.99, iOS, Android, and Windows 8). This means you can watch any live or digitally recorded TV broadcast, no matter your location—perfect for fans who are always on the go or who travel frequently.

If you want to watch March Madness this year, do yourself a favor and load these apps on your smartphone or tablet now. How do you plan on keeping up with the Madness this season?

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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The post How to Watch and Keep Tabs on March Madness On-the-Go Brenda Barron appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.