Andy Rubin is no ordinary man. His creation called ‘Android’ resides within 86% of all the cellphones in the world. After Google bought Android, and Andy spending 8 years at the Search giant’s office, he now wants his virtual idea to take form and meet his new creation.
He has formed a company by the name of ‘Essential’, where 40 more people with a past at places like Apple and Google have joined him. They’ve already built a prototype of a Phone, the final version of which will be manufactured from high-grade materials, will feature a ceramic back panel and sit at the top of the smartphone food chain.
A’la Project Ara, the phone will feature a modular design, where users will be able to upgrade the hardware over time. One prototype of Rubin’s smartphone boasts of a larger screen than the iPhone 7 Plus. However, because of the absence of a bezel and an edge-to-edge screen, it will be smaller in size than Apple’s flagship phone. Andy is also trying to create a screen that can sense pressure, similar to Apple’s 3D touch technology.
The phone will sport a connector, which apart from charging the phone, will play a big role in making the phone a truly modular, open platform for developers to come up with accessories and hardware peripherals. Andy’s team is already working on a 360-degree camera which is compatible with the connector.
Essential’s smartphone will also gain a lot from a venture Andy started after exiting Google, called Playground Global – A startup specializing in Robotics, AI and augmented reality. According to Andy, AI is the next big fever, waiting to infect the technology industry. ‘Essential’ has already filed trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and is in discussions with Foxconn to start manufacturing for a mid-year launch. Whenever it arrives, the phone will be positioned at a price point, very close to that of the iPhone 7 Plus.
