Project Ara, the futuristic modular (Lego-style) smartphone, is closing in on an early test run starting in Puerto Rico, and now it appears there's no question that the built-to-order Ara will have cameras.

According to a report from digital photography blog PetaPixel, Toshiba is one of the third-party electronics companies working on modules for the upcoming Project Ara smartphone. And PetaPixel got the details on Toshiba's camera modules, which are officially the first swappable camera modules for the futuristic modular device.

Project Ara, for those new to the concept, is a smartphone concept that will allow users to customize their phones beyond what is currently possible, because Ara is made out of component bricks that perform major functions of a smartphone that can be swapped in or out, depending on the user's preference.

Want a fast CPU and a nice screen? Max those specs out and skimp on the rest. Want a nice camera and lots of storage but don't care about gaming? Project Ara aims to please all user tastes -- and by giving users more choice, make those smartphones more cost-effective and affordable.

PetaPixel found a post from Toshiba on its first working camera modules for Project Ara at the Modular Phones Forum, and judging by the details, the Japanese company known for its expertise in cameras is following the modular philosophy pretty closely.

Toshiba spilled details on three camera modules it's building for Project Ara, including a 2-megapixel front-facing sensor and two rear cameras: one capable of 5 megapixels and one 13-megapixel shooter. Toshiba showed off its early progress in a YouTube video, in which you can see the camera being snapped into place and begin capturing live images, in color.


It may seem pretty basic, given current premium smartphones' advanced cameras, which variously feature laser-guided autofocus, optical image stabilization, dual-tone flash and many, many other bells and whistles. But Toshiba acknowledges that its modular camera is in phase one of development, which it simply described as "Basic phone function."

The next two phases scheduled over approximately two more years include adding a memory moudule, NFC and TransferJet wireless data transfer technology, described as "Up-to-date Features," followed by the third "Unique Module" phase, the advanced features of which are still currently being planned.

As we previously reported, Google said Project Ara is slated to go live in a limited test run this year in Puerto Rico. The Latin American island was chosen because it's well connected and "mobile-first," and while residing in a free trade zone, as a U.S. territory, it also follows U.S. Internet regulations and possesses 3G and 4G wireless coverage.

Before that, though, Google is expected to show off more developments in the Project Ara saga this March at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, so stay with LatinPost for more details as they undoubtedly come along.