Neowin News Feed for: Essential

Microsoft starts rolling out complimentary premium filters for Clipchamp video editor

Alap Naik Desai — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 22:20:01 +0000

Microsoft 365 and Office subscriptions will get complimentary access to "Premium filters and effects" available for the Clipchamp cloud-based video editor. The Essential pack costs $12 per month. Read more...

Carl Pei's Nothing now owns Andy Rubin's Essential

Rich Woods — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 20:44:01 +0000

Carl Pei's Nothing Technologies Limited has purchased Andy Rubin's Essential brand, including the company name, device name, all logos, and any intellectual property that the firm held. Read more...

Unreleased Essential PH-2 and PH-3 renders shared by former designer

Rajesh Pandey — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 05:20:01 +0000

A former Essential designer has shared the designs and renders of the Essential PH-2 and PH-3 along with their story. Both these phones were canceled when the company shut shop earlier this year. Read more...

Andy Rubin's Essential folds, ending its phone business

Rich Woods — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 19:02:01 +0000

Essential, the company that was started by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, is shutting down. The only phone it made, the PH-1, received its final security updates earlier this month. Read more...

Andy Rubin teases "radically different form factor" [Update]

João Carrasqueira — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 23:16:01 +0000

Android creator and Essential CEO Andy Rubin has shared a series of images on Twitter depicting what's described as a "radically different form factor". There isn't much in the way of details. Read more...

Essential, OnePlus, and Xiaomi join Google in releasing Android 10

João Carrasqueira — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 23:10:01 +0000

Shortly after Google made the Android 10 update available to Pixel owners, companies have started releasing the latest version for some of their smartphones, though in a limited capacity. Read more...

Essential Phone receives official LineageOS support

Jay Bonggolto — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:42:01 +0000

After years of getting unofficial LineageOS builds, the Essential Phone finally receives official support from the Android-based operating system. The latest nightly build is up for download now. Read more...

Essential's next phone might sport an in-display front-facing camera, fingerprint sensor

Abhay V — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 22:20:01 +0000

Reports suggest that Essential's next-generation phone might sport an in-display front-facing camera and fingerprint sensor setup. The phone is likely to be called the PH-2, a successor to the PH-1. Read more...

Essential says it's "hard at work on our next mobile product " as it discontinues PH-1

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 05:40:01 +0000

The time has finally arrived, after months of heavy discounts for its phone, Essential has finally discontinued the PH-1. The firm also stated that it's working on its "next mobile product". Read more...

Essential's Audio Adapter HD is a headphone dongle that costs $149

João Carrasqueira — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:08:01 +0000

Essential is showing some signs of life with the launch of a new magnetic accessory for the PH-1. The Audio Adapter HD is a dongle for 3.5mm headphones which costs a whopping $149. Read more...

Essential lays off around 30 percent of its employees

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 20:30:01 +0000

It looks like more bad news for Essential, as the company has laid off close to 30 percent of its staff. The company has acknowledged the move, stating that its "sorry for the impact." Read more...

Andy Rubin is working on Essential Phone successor that doubles down on AI, can text for you

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 17:56:01 +0000

Creator of Android and founder of Essential, Andy Rubin is looking to follow up on the Essential Phone from last year with a phone that aims to mimic its owner through the power of AI. Read more...

Essential delivers Google's September security update to its handset

Timi Cantisano — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 22:26:01 +0000

Essential has been doing a great job of keeping things up to date on its phone. Last month it delivered Android 9.0 Pie and today, it has released Google's September security update. Read more...

YouTube app update enables pinch-to-zoom on the Essential Phone

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 04:10:01 +0000

A new update for YouTube has brought pinch-to-zoom as an option for those with an Essential Phone. The update can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store and comes in at version 13.34.50. Read more...

Android 9.0 Pie is already available for the Essential Phone

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:32:01 +0000

Google just recently announced the Android 9.0 Pie update. What might come as a bit of a surprise is that Essential has now made the software update available for download for the PH-1. Read more...

Essential releases Android P Beta 3 for PH-1

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:14:01 +0000

Google just released its final beta of the Android P Developer Preview. Surprisingly, Essential has also issued Beta 3 for its Android P beta that includes updates from Google's latest release. Read more...

Essential discounts its 360 Camera accessory to $19

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:28:01 +0000

A day after the Essential PH-1 made its debut on Prime Day with an amazing discount, Essential is offering a massive discount of its own, knocking $180 off the price of the 360 Camera accessory. Read more...

Essential offers a deep discount on PH-1, priced at $249.99

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:30:01 +0000

If you were looking for a handset with good specifications and Android P support, the Essential PH-1 might be the handset for you. The smartphone is priced at $249.99 for Prime Day. Read more...

Andy Rubin puts Essential up for sale, and cancels the Essential 2

Rich Woods — Thu, 24 May 2018 22:02:01 +0000

It didn't take too long, but Andy Rubin is reportedly planning to sell off the Android phone start-up, Essential. The company has also canceled its plans for an upcoming successor to the PH-1. Read more...

Google announces Android P Beta at I/O, heading to more devices in addition to Pixel phones

Abhay V — Tue, 08 May 2018 22:24:02 +0000

Google has announced the Android P Beta program at I/O 2018, its annual developer conference. The program now supports flagship devices from seven more manufacturers in addition to the Pixel devices. Read more...

Essential starts shipping its smartphone to more regions

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 08:42:03 +0000

The Essential PH-1 has been on sale since August of last year but has only been available to select regions. Now the handset will be made available to those in Canada, France, Japan, and the U.K. Read more...

Essential PH-1 and 360 4K pill Camera bundle discounted to $466.96 on Amazon

Steven Parker — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:00:01 +0000

Hot on the heels of the phone only discount from earlier this week, the Essential PH-1 phone and 4K pill camera is receiving another heavy discount. The smartphone is available in three colors. Read more...

Essential PH-1 gets new discount, price dropped by $100

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 21:30:01 +0000

A little over a year after it was announced, the Essential PH-1 handset is receiving another heavy discount. The smartphone is available in three colors: Black Moon, Pure White, and Halo Gray. Read more...

Sprint's Essential PH-1 now being updated to Android 8.1 Oreo

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 01:52:01 +0000

An over-the-air (OTA) update to Android 8.1 Oreo is now being made available to Sprint Essential PH-1 handsets, bringing a number of new features, improvements, and security updates to the device. Read more...

Essential knows the camera on the PH-1 was bad, but promises something better for follow-up

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 23:10:01 +0000

Andy Rubin's Essential had a pretty rough first year, despite the hype surrounding its product, the PH-1. Now, the firm is promising a better version with the release of its successor. Read more...

Android 8.1 is now available for the Essential PH-1

Timi Cantisano — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:38:01 +0000

In what comes as a bit of a surprise, Essential has now announced the arrival of an official build of Android 8.1 Oreo for its PH-1 handset. The update is being pushed to handsets over-the-air. Read more...

Google pushing to bring RCS to all Android users

Paul Hill — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:08:01 +0000

Google will use MWC 2018 to push RCS and its Android Messages application on businesses and customers alike. RCS makes old, clunky, SMS more modern, putting it on par with other instant messengers. Read more...

Essential debuts new Halo Gray PH-1 that packs Amazon's Alexa

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 19:54:01 +0000

Yesterday, Essential unveiled three new color variants of its handset, with yet another now revealed. It will be exclusive to Amazon and will also have Alexa built-in. Pre-orders are open now. Read more...

Essential to upgrade the PH-1 with Android 8.1, skip 8.0 over instability

Shreyas Gandhe — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:56:01 +0000

Newbie smartphone manufacturer, Essential, has announced that it will be skipping the 8.0 version of Android Oreo due to stability issues and upgrade the PH-1 smartphone directly to 8.1. Read more...

Essential is releasing its third beta of Android Oreo for the PH-1 [Update]

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:30:01 +0000

It looks like Essential PH-1 users will be in for a treat today. Along with a new Reddit AMA, the firm also announced that it would be releasing the third beta for its Android Oreo build. Read more...

Neowin's Top 5 Tech Innovations of 2017

John Keefer — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 22:04:01 +0000

There have been a lot of great tech gadgets and products unveiled in 2017. And while you want to reward the best, sometimes - for better or worse - you need to recognize the best attempts to innovate. Read more...

Essential keeps things rolling with new camera stability update

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 01:20:01 +0000

Over the past few months, Essential has had its nose to the grindstone, making sure that its customers are happy with the handset. Today, the firm has issued another update focusing on the camera. Read more...

Essential Phone gets Android Oreo 8.0 beta 2 build

John Keefer — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 00:36:01 +0000

As promised in a Reddit AMA, Essential has rolled out the second beta for Oreo 8.0 for the PH-1, bringing a bunch of bug fixes and new features, including smart text selection and picture-in-picture. Read more...

Essential gives details on EIS, tap to wake, Android Oreo beta 2, and more

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 22:12:02 +0000

Essential has done a great job the past couple months, keeping those interested in the know, by holding bi-weekly Reddit AMAs. This week, it gave insight on features like EIS, Oreo beta 2, and more. Read more...

Essential updates camera with Facebook and YouTube 360-degree livestreaming

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 05:36:02 +0000

Essential has updated its camera app to enable 360-degree livestreams using Facebook and YouTube. The update also brings other improvements such as improved stability and enhanced image quality. Read more...

Andy Rubin has reportedly returned to work at Essential

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 23:34:01 +0000

After going on leave, Andy Rubin has returned to Essential. The founder and CEO coincidentally took leave after a report surfaced about his inappropriate relationship while working at Google. Read more...

Essential updates camera with portrait mode, new Android 8.0 beta next week

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:34:01 +0000

It's another week and Essential once again held a Reddit AMA to answer questions about its handset. A new portrait mode for the camera is available, while a new Android 8.0 beta will arrive next week. Read more...

Essential's CEO Andy Rubin takes leave following report of past misbehavior

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:14:01 +0000

A report was published recently that dove into details about some inappropriate activity involving Andy Rubin during his time at Google. Rubin has taken a leave from his current company. Read more...

Essential PH-1 hits new low, priced at $399 and includes 360-degree camera

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:06:02 +0000

If you've been hankering for a chance to grab the Essential PH-1, now is absolutely the time. The handset has now been discounted to $399 and will also come bundled with the 360-degree camera. Read more...

Essential discusses the PH-1's signal issue with a solution incoming

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 20:38:01 +0000

Essential has tried to be transparent through its Reddit AMAs and in its latest round, it has addressed customers' concerns about signal strength, touchscreen sensitivity, and camera compression. Read more...