Android co-founder Andy Rubin’s new company Essential has only released one smartphone so far, and it’s not even available for purchase anymore. But the company still has a stellar track record with releasing monthly security updates and major operating system updates. So when we learned that Essential’s next mobile device was under development, many folks […]
essential
Posted inNews
Essential is still working on a new phone (new details leaked)
It’s been more than two years since Essential released its first smartphone, and so far the Essential PH-1 is the company’s only smartphone. But that could change… eventually. The folks at xda-developers have received confirmation that Essential is “working on a new device” that’s “now in early testing.” And by digging through some code, they’ve also […]
Posted inNews
Lilbits 371: AT&T’s first 5G phone is coming… but not for you
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S10 and S10+ earlier this year, the company also introduced its first 5G-ready smartphone: the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s basically the same phone with the addition of a 5G modem. But this model also has a bigger screen and a larger battery than its […]
Posted inNews
10 Comments on Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the works
Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the works
10 Comments on Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the worksThe Essential Phone was the first smartphone to ship with a notch in the display and it was the first phone from the startup created by Android founder Andy Rubin. It was also not exactly a huge success in the market, and the company’s had a bit of a rough year… but that hasn’t stopped […]
Posted inNews
Essential releases second modular add-on for its phone (Audio Adapter HD)
A handful of phone makers have released models with support for modular add-ons in the past few years, with limited success. It’s unclear if modularity is going to continue to be a feature in the future… but it’s always nice when an existing device lives up to its promise. When Essential launched its first smartphone […]
Posted inNews
Essential lays off 30 percent of its workers
Andy Rubin’s smartphone company is essentially a two thirds the size it was. Bloomberg reports that Essential Products has let about 30 percent of its staff go, with most of the job cuts coming in the company’s sales and hardware departments. The news comes about a week after another Bloomberg report that indicated Essential has […]
Posted inNews
Do you want a phone that talks and texts to people for you?
Google’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones will be able to make phone calls to local businesses to ask about hours or even book an appointment on your behalf, saving you the trouble of talking to a human being. The feature will be available starting next month when Google’s Duplex technology gets a public […]
Posted inNews
Essential is launching an HD audio module for its smartphone this summer
The Essential PH-1 smartphone has a set of Pogo pins on the back that you can use to attach modules that extend the phone’s functionality. But since launching the phone last year, Essential has only offered a single module: a 360-degree camera. This summer Essential plans to launch its second module. It’s a hi-fi audio […]
Posted inNews
Bloomberg: Essential cancels its next smartphone, company might be up for sale
Less than a year after releasing its first smartphone, it looks like Essential Products might be going out of business. Bloomberg reports that the company, which was started by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, has cancelled development of its next phone, and may be looking for a buyer interested in acquiring the company. The Essential PH-1 […]
Posted inNews
What if smartphone selfie cams took pictures through the display?
The Essential PH-1 was the first smartphone to ship with a cut-out in the display to make room for a front-facing camera in a device that otherwise has impressively slim bezels. These days the world has decided that phone with notches are taking their design cues from the iPhone X, but not only did Essential […]