The man who helped create Android is launching his own smartphone.
He is the guy behind Android smartphones. Now, Andy Rubin wants to build the «Essential» phone.
«Essential» is the name of Rubin’s new startup, which emerges out of stealth mode with a new edge-to-edge titanium and ceramic Android smartphone featuring a 5.71-inch display, powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, top-tier dual camera system, 4GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage and other robust specs.
Alas, while there’s USB-C, there’s no standard 3.55mm headphone jack, as Essential follows the unfortunate path taken by Apple. (There is a 3.55mm adapter.)
What is potentially interesting is the ability to wirelessly transfer data with a magnetic connector, and a modular approach that lets you connect an accessory 360 camera.
Of course, there are many first rate smartphones in the market, starting of course with the proverbial giants of the business, Samsung’s Galaxy franchise and Apple’s iPhones. How will Rubin’s new $699 phone — or for a limited time, $749 with a 360 camera — be different?
Rubin himself hinted at the question in a blog post on Essential’s website.
«I know people are going to ask me a lot of questions about why I started this company, » Rubin wrote. «Why didn’ t I just travel the world, ride my motorcycle, tinker with my robots, hang out at my bakery with friends and family. And to be honest I still do ask myself that sometimes…but not too often.»
He went on to say that there was much he didn’ t like about the current state of technology, including devices with «unnecessary features cluttering our lives» and an «increasing sea of products that didn’ t work with one another.»
And then given his Android pedigree Rubin made a confession: “I am partly responsible for this.”
Rubin insists, among other declarations, that the Essential phone will play with others, sport premium materials, and evolve as you do.
We’ ll see. The company is taking reservations on the new phone now and I’ m eager to get my hands on one, although no word on when the phone will be available.
Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow USA TODAY Personal Tech Columnist @edbaig on Twitter.
