Despite rumors of its death, Project Ara is still alive, even if Google has compromised on its original vision of a fully customizable handsets. At its I/O developer conference, Google confirmed that it intends to release the consumer version of its modular smartphone, Project Ara, next year. And setting out the roadmap for the platform, it argued that Ara has the potential to expand beyond its smartphone roots if the connection protocol and Android implementation prove reliable. This could launch the modular device concept in other consumer electronics markets, boosting Google’s attempt to shift its software and services into new areas, to counter the slowdown in smartphones, and to seize a lead in areas where new form factors and user…