Here ’s something to raise your eyebrows . Essential , the companionship founded in 2015 by disgraced former Google exec Andy Rubin , released range of its Project Gem smartphone on Tuesday — and it fundamentally seem like a phone chopped down the middle .
Rubin leave Google in 2014 after allegations ofsexual harassment and coercion , with his $ 90 million exit package and accusation that the tech giantshielded him and other executivessparking considerable repercussion include a massive walkout by Google ’s own employee . ( Since then , Google workers have said the companyretaliated against themfor their involvement in the walkout , and homage documents in Rubin ’s divorcement claimed heoperated a “ sex halo . ” ) The company he founded afterwards , Essential , released the minimalistic PH-1 phone in 2017 to apoor reviewby Gizmodo , though we deemed it a middling more competitive choice as it plummeted toless than half cost .
The phone Essential and Rubin unveiled on Tuesday has a “ radically unlike form factor , ” namely that it ’s stretch with a vertically oriented UI , as well as large image and side buttons . It also has what looks like a jolly swelled camera swelling on the back , which might indicate a big switch from the underwhelming camera in its predecessor . There ’s also a divot on the back of the equipment positioned approximately in the same spot as a fingerprint sensing element .
Photo: (Essential)
Gem is support to be the successor to the original PH-1,according to the Verge .
We ’ve been working on a new machine to reframe your view on Mobile River . It ’s now in early testing with our team outside the laboratory . bet forward to share more in the near future!#ProjectGEMpic.twitter.com / BnVy7yM2Kj
— Essential ( @essential)October 9 , 2019
https://twitter.com/embed/status/1181688574975983616
Other Gem features include a “ colorshift ” textile on the back of the gimmick that look to change hues depending on the visible radiation take up it , which is visually outstanding but perhaps not a major selling point given theubiquity of protective casing .
Interestingly , last yearBloomberg reportedthat Essential was work on a telephone set designed to have a small screen door andpowered by an assistantthat seek to perform several functions for the user without manual interference . Said phone would “ require users to interact mainly using voice commands , in concert with Essential ’s contrived - intelligence software system . ” Leaks fromXDA Developerslast calendar month showed Essential ’s new telephone had codification key a “ fingerprint walkie talkie ” fashion reflect to be a way of activating tell helper , in which showcase perhaps that pit on the back is not a fingermark sensor at all . Bloomberg note that Rubin had antecedently characterized design for a assistant integration and little screen as a way to fight “ addictive ” phone use , which sure , whatever .
On the other handwriting , this raw form factor would appear to preclude normal use of many apps , and god only have intercourse how commodious using the keyboard will be . If the principal mode of interaction with the equipment is intended to be a voice helper , that could get real plaguy — and really privacy - limiting — fast . Then there ’s the whole matter of all that execrable behaviour ascribe to Rubin , which should belike give potential customers pause .
AndroidAndy RubinGadgetsGooglePhonesSmartphonesTechnology
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