Essential Phone 'Sold Out'... New Device In the Works

Essential Products confirmed that its first mobile device the Essential Phone, is no longer available. "We are sold out of Essential Phone on essential.com and won’t be adding any new inventory," said Essential in a statement provided to Droid-Life. 

"We are now hard at work on our next mobile product and will continue to sell accessories and provide speedy software updates and customer support to our existing community." The Essential Phone went on sale in the summer months of 2017. The high end Android device failed to resonate with consumers. 

In recent months the phone has been offered at a deep discount across the web and various sellers. Essential had a tough year... Executive Andy Rubin was forced to step aside for a short time after he was said to have received a $90 million severance package from Google despite claims of sexual harassment made against him. Rubin later rejoined Essential, but the company shifted gears and laid off staff amid the changes. Essential has not elaborated on what its "next mobile product" will be.


Source: Essential 

Essential Phone’s Second Module, The Audio Adapter HD With MQA Certification

This new Essential PH-1 Audio Adapter HD module attaches to the back of the Essential PH-1 just like the 360 camera, while adding a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Audio Adapter HD module can power high impedance headphones with an “audiophile grade” amp. No pricing is available yet, and Essential says that it’s coming “this summer.”

Along with that new Audio Adapter HD Essential is also releasing MQA certification for the Essential Phone today. The latest Essential PH-1 software update enables support for Master Quality Authenticated or MQA lossless audio. This allows users to hear music the way the artist intended at the highest possible quality, all while keeping the file size to a minimum.

Essential is also partnering with TIDAL to offer users a 3 month free subscription to existing and new Essential PH-1 owners. New Essential PH-1 buyers can get a free set of the company’s USB-C earbuds included with new device purchases.


Source: Essential via Twitter

Essential Reportedly Cancels Second Phone, Potentially Up For Sale

Essential Products is not currently for sale, however cancels plans to develop a new phone. The company has hired a financial firm in order to help advise it on a potential sale or merger. 

Rumor's say Essential has already received interest from one possible buyer. Essential, part of Andy Rubin's Playground Global announced the Essential Phone at about this time last year. The phone was unique thanks to its ceramic design, all screen face, and magnetic mod system. The phone was sold by Sprint in the U.S., and unlocked directly from Essential. 

The $700 device struggled to find buyers due to poor camera and call performance. Bloomberg's sources suggest as few as 150,000 Essential phones have sold since its August 2017 launch. Essential raised around $300 million in funding and spent about $100 million of it developing the Essential Phone. The company is exploring a sale of the entire company, including hardware, patents, a smart home product, and a camera attachment for the phone. 

It's not clear what might happen to Essential's employees. Andy Rubin is known for developing the initial Android platform. In the email, obtained by The Information, Rubin said his company Essential which recently canceled plans for developing a new smartphone in favor of developing other products such as a smart speaker said the company is “working with bankers to raise money.” 

He suggested an acquisition might be part of such discussions. Essential has raised more than $300 million.


Source: Twitter

Essential Patents Popout Camera Smartphone, Sorry Vivo...

Andy Rubin's Essential patents popout camera Essential Phone, when tweeted with a link to the Vivo Apex, Rubin not only mentions that he had in fact already seen the phone, but fired back with a patent (US9736383B2) he and his company had already filed for almost the same exact thing. It was granted back in 2017 maybe we’ll likely never see the Vivo Apex exist outside of a concept device. 

The patent description is as follows:

"The technology disclosed here maximizes the size of the display area associated with the mobile device by various camera placement. In one embodiment, the camera is placed inside the mobile device, and can pop outside the mobile device when the camera is activated. When the camera is inactive the camera retracts inside the mobile device, and becomes unnoticeable to the user. In another embodiment, the camera is integrated into the mobile device display as a camera icon. The integrated camera serves two purposes: to record pictures, and to act as a camera icon, that when selected activates the camera. By removing the camera from the front side of the mobile device, or by integrating the camera into the display screen of the mobile device, the size of the mobile device display screen can be increased."


Source: Andy Rubin on Twitter, US patent

Essential Phone Receives Stable Android 8.1 Oreo

Essential announced that it would be skipping a full release of Android 8.0 Oreo, instead going straight to Android 8.1 Oreo. We're about a month in since the first beta build of Android 8.1 Oreo came out for the Essential Phone, the official Android 8.1 Oreo update has been released.

The full Android 8.1 Oreo update comes in at around 276MB, though that'll vary depending on whether you're on the beta or not, it's around 1,015MB if you're coming from Android 7.1 Nougat.

The changelog mentions standard Oreo features such as Instant Apps, picture in picture, smart text selection, and more. Essential is adding the March security update, dynamic calendar and clock icons, and an apparent fix for the slow scrolling jitter.


Source: Essential on Twitter

Essential Phone Gets Android 8.1 Oreo Beta

Essential has released the long awaited Android 8.1 Oreo in the form of a beta. Previous beta testers for Android 8.0 Oreo will get an over the air update to Android 8.1 Oreo, if you're not currently enrolled as a beta tester Essential has add a link to side-load the new software on its website linked below.

What's new with Android 8.1 Oreo on the Essential Phone? Essential has add dynamic icons for the calendar and clock apps, and the most important fix of all is said to squash the "slow scrolling jitter fix."

Essential also says that the Android 8.1 Oreo update comes with Google's latest February security patch, making it the first company other than Google itself to push the security patch to its devices.


Source: Essential

Essential Updates PH-1, Gains Fingerprint Sensor Gestures And KRACK Patch

Essential recently pushed out another software update, the two biggest changes include fingerprint sensor gestures and a fix for KRACK.

Fingerprint sensor gestures on the Essential PH-1 work just like on the Google Pixel and Google Pixel 2's. Swiping down on the fingerprint sensor will show notifications, swiping up will dismiss notifications. The other big news here is a fix for the KRACK vulnerability. The update also includes the latest October 2017 security patch from Google, improved performance, bug fixes, and better touch scrolling.

The update is rolling out with a build number of NMJ20D and file size of 74.8Mb. The update will download in the background and once it's ready to go restarting your Essential PH-1 with the new update installed. 

The unlocked variant of the Essential Phone already has access to the new update build NMJ20D, However the Sprint variant will have to wait for the carrier to approve the update prior to it gets pushed out to phones.


Source: Essential via Twitter

Essential Phone Gets Permanent Price Drop To $499, Previous Buyers Get $200 "Friends And Family" Code

Essential Phone was first announced and went on sale in May. The high end Android phone later started shipping to customers in late August. At the time the price of the phone was $699, but a few days ago some retailers started discounting the device by $100. This evening Essential announced that the phone was getting a permanent $200 price drop to $499 on its web store.

Niccolo de Masi the president of Essential, stated that anyone who bought the Essential Phone before October 22 will be able to get a $200 “friends and family” code for use on its store. The code can be used to reduce the price of a new Essential Phone purchase, which means if you have one of these codes the price of the phone will go down to $299. The code can also be applied to the purchase of the company’s Essential 360 Camera add-on for the phone, which basically makes that accessory free. Those folks will have to submit their details to claim the $200 store code at the source link below by November 15.


Source: Essential, $200 "friends and family" code

Android Co-Creator Andy Rubin's Startup Essential, Sued Over Magnetic Connector Technology

Keyssa has filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Essential, the maker of the Essential PH-1 smartphone backed by former Google exec and Godfather of Android Andy Rubin. The lawsuit pertains to magnetic wireless connectors that can pass information and current from one device to another, such as the magnetic module accessory system used on the Essential PH-1. 

According to Keyssa Essential worked with the company for period of 10 months on the magnetic technology and was given trade secrets under non disclosure agreement during that time. Eventually the relationship between the two companies dissolved and Essential picked magnetic components from a third company called SiBEAM for the Essential PH-1. Keyssa alleges that even though Essential is using different hardware for its phone the technology couldn't have been recreated without Keyssa's protected intellectual property.

"Keyssa has not been compensated for Essential’s use of this guidance and know how," said Keyssa in a statement provided to Reuters. "We are pursuing this action because our attempts to resolve this matter through discussions with Essential have not been successful." Keyssa is backed by Tony Fadell, who co-created the iPod when at Apple. Keyssa filed the lawsuit in federal court in San Francisco.


Source: Reuters

Essential Is Hosting A “First Look” Event On August 25th, In West Hollywood

Andy Rubin's Essential started inviting people to see the Essential PH-1 phone and 360 camera on August 25th at 6PM. According to an invite sent, Essential and Andy Rubin are hosting a “First Look Event” in West Hollywood.

The invite says “Join us for a First Look at the Essential Phone and 360 Camera,” and arrived through a special Essential “events” address.

Andy Rubin's Essential Secures Funding From Amazon, Promises Phone Release Date Next Week

Essential, Android creator Andy Rubin's smartphone startup announced its phone earlier this year but has yet to say when it will actually become available. 

In the time since, the company has announced retail partners and exclusive carriers for each region including Sprint in the U.S. and TELUS in Canada. Now the company announced it secured investment funding from a few investment giants including Amazon and Tencent Holdings.

The $300 million infusion was confirmed by Essential to the Wall Street Journal. Essential also announced that Amazon and Best Buy will be launch partners in addition to Sprint being the exclusive carrier for the Essential Phone in the US, though all versions will be unlocked and usable on all U.S. networks.

Sprint... The Exclusive Wireless Carrier Of The Essential Phone

Andy Rubin’s new company Essential officially announced its first smartphone. The Essential Phone, and while the company was quick to point out that the handset is unlocked and that it will work on all four of the major wireless carriers in the United States there were still questions regarding an actual carrier launch.

As it turns out that the Essential Phone will have an exclusive carrier. Essential president Niccolo De Masi informed USA Today that Sprint will be the exclusive wireless carrier to host the Essential Phone. According to Masi Sprint is the “network of the future,” and that’s why the company chose to partner up with the Now Network.

It’s worth noting that Andy Rubin is a friend of SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and that SoftBank owns 83% of Sprint itself so maybe the partnership isn’t all that surprising.

Sprint will carry the Essential Phone in its retail stores, the device itself won’t host any Sprint branding while the phone does work with all the carriers this gives Essential some marketing in United States outside of the traditional advertisements the company will be running.

Did you already reserve your Essential Phone?

Android VP Hugo Barra Reportedly Resigns From Google

According to a new report from AllThingsD, citing “sources in position to know”, one of Google’s top Android executives is leaving the company. The report states that Hugo Barra, who was the vice president of product management for Android, will soon be departing the company to join Chinese phone maker Xiaomi. Xiaomi produces its own high-end Android-based devices, though with a heavy custom skin on top. Barra originally joined Google in 2008 as a group product manager, having previously worked for speech firm Nuance, and has moved up the totem pole since then.

This news comes on the heels of Andy Rubin, the creator Android, stepping down from his position earlier this year. Given that Android is Google’s top product right now, Barra’s decision, especially when coupled with Rubin’s departure, will undoubtedly cause some tension within the company. Barra often appeared on stage at Google events, most recently at the second-generation Nexus 7 unveil.


Source: AllThingsD

Andy Rubin Reveals, Android Was Originally Intended For Cameras

Android has certainly expanded well beyond just the smartphone, finding itself on televisions, set-top boxes, tablets and even cameras. What you might not know is that when Android was first conceived, it wasn't even aimed at smartphones.

Today at the Japan New Economy Summit in Tokyo, Android co-founder Andy Rubin showed off slides from his very first pitch for Android. Back in 2004, Rubin and company had dreams of a world of smart cameras that would easily connect to the PC and then link to an “Android Datacenter”.

In short, it was a camera platform that would also have a cloud system for storing photos online. So what happened? The digital camera market was already slowing down and five months after their original presentation, they returned with a new pitch that declared Android as an “open-source handset solution”.

The next step in Android’s evolution would be the hiring of team members that had experience at carriers like T-Mobile and Orange. The year was 2005, and the goal was to prepare Android to compete against Symbian and Microsoft. At this point, the iPhone had obviously yet to enter into the equation.

Rubin also made it clear that from the beginning Android was aimed at the mass market, with an emphasis on OS growth, not per-unit income.

In the early days of smartphones, hardware vendors had to pay a pretty hefty amount in order to license mobile operating systems, which meant that phone vendors had to jack up the prices in order to make a profit.

As we all know, Android shook up this model quite a bit by introducing an open-source OS that was free to use, with the idea instead being for Android to make its money from selling services and products.

Android’s original projection was to have 9 percent of the North American and European market share by 2010. Considering Android runs on over 70% of all smartphones around the world and averages 1.5 million new activation's each day, we’d say that the stomped all over that goal.

Google has accomplished a lot with Android, and Andy Rubin has been a big part of it all. While Rubin might not be leading Android’s development any longer, he does ensure he will continue to create great products directed at end users. “I can pretty much guarantee you that whatever I do next it’s going to be something that delights consumers.”

Google's Android Chief Andy Rubin To Step Aside

Rubin reaffirmed those thoughts with a letter to the various Android partners Google deals with, otherwise known as members of the Open Handset Alliance. These members consist of the very OEMs and carriers that have helped pushed Android to where it is today. In the letter, Rubin reminded everyone that his heart is with entrepreneurship in other words, he likes a good project.

His stint with Danger to bring the legendary Sidekick OS to prominence didn’t go undocumented, and he has been with Android since the very beginning. Rubin’s track record is unmatched by many, and this is another way to say he’s bored. He wants something new to build and grow. He’s the proverbial nanny who only makes $5 an hour to take care of a crying, defecating baby, but does it out of the love of giving a baby nourishment and guidance and raising them into a fine young lad.

That’s Andy’s forte, his specialty, and his knack, so to speak. His rumored departure to the Google X team definitely fits that bill. The letter is, among all things, reassuring of the strength of Android and gives no one anything to worry about. Android is fine, folks, but it’s time for another 12 rounds with the next big innovation in tech for Andy Rubin. Read the full letter below.

"In November of 2007 we announced the Open Handset Alliance with 34 founding members. Today, I’m grateful to the over 85 OHA members who have helped us build Android and drive innovation at such an incredible pace. The Android ecosystem has seen tremendous growth since the launch of the very first Android device in October 2008. The volume and variety of Android devices exceeds even my most optimistic expectations over 750 million compatible devices and counting!
At its core, Android has always been about openness the idea that a thousand brains are better than one. Just as the ecosystem has grown, so has our team at Google. I am incredibly proud of the phenomenal group of people that spend their days (and nights) building the Android platform and services. Just look at last year…a lean yet incredibly ambitious team released Jellybean with Google Now, launched Google Play in many languages and countries and collaborated with several partners to build three new Nexus devices to help drive innovation in the ecosystem.

Today, the success of Android combined with the strength of our management team, gives me the confidence to step away from Android and hand over the reins. Going forward, Sundar Pichai will lead Android, in addition to his existing work with Chrome and Apps. Hiroshi Lockheimer who many of you already know well plus the rest of the Android leadership team will work closely with all of our partners to advance Android and prepare the platform for new products and services yet to be imagined.

As for me, I am an entrepreneur at heart and now is the right time for me to start a new chapter within Google. I am amazed by what we have accomplished from those early days (not so long ago!), and remain passionate about the power of a simple idea and a shared goal an open source platform freely available to everyone to transform computing for people everywhere."

Google Senior VP Andy Rubin Fires Back At Aliyun OS

Andy Rubin has added another response to Alibaba's Aliyun OS, after Google's insistence that Acer put the launch of its new smartphone on pause. He focuses on the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), which OEMs agree to when they work with the platform, promising to keep Android a happy (and relatively compatible) platform. Amazon dodges any similar issues with its Kindle Fire tablets, because it didn't sign up to the same alliance. Rubin says that because Aliyun uses Android's framework and tools  as well as housing some suspect Android apps (and pirated Google programs) within its own App Store the mobile OS "takes advantage of all the hard work that's gone into that platform by the OHA." Google's looking to protect how Android behaves as a whole, and the senior VP suggests that if Alibaba's new OS wanted "to benefit from the Android ecosystem" then they could make the move across to full compatibility. We're still waiting to hear what Acer (and Alibaba) plan to do next.