Neowin News Feed for: Ph-1

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

Essential releases beta of Android Oreo for its PH-1

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:50:01 +0000

If you've been wanting Android 8.0 for your Essential PH-1, you'll be happy to know that the firm has now released a beta of the OS through its developer portal that is available to all. Read more...

Essential PH-1 gets another $50 price cut in the United States

Hammad Saleem — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:12:01 +0000

Best Buy has reduced the price of the Essential PH-1 to $449.99, which is $250 off its $699 launch price. However, the price cut is not official, since Essential is still selling it for $499. Read more...

Essential issues new update - fixes KRACK, touchscreen, and more

Timi Cantisano — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:46:01 +0000

Although Essential has struggled over the past few months, it has tried to realign itself by engaging with the community and being more transparent. Today, it has released a new update for its phone. Read more...

The Essential PH-1 is now $200 less, only two months after its release

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 03:20:01 +0000

It was only this week that Best Buy offered the Essential PH-1 for $100 off. Now, Essential is taking things a step further by discounting the handset by $200, which should be a welcome move. Read more...

The Essential PH-1 discounted by $100 only two months after its release

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 16:46:01 +0000

It took only two months, but the Essential PH-1 has been discounted. It is unclear just how long this price reduction will last, but those that are curious will be able to buy the phone for $100 off. Read more...

More woes for Essential - sued with demand for compensation

Timi Cantisano — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:06:01 +0000

Essential started off the year with a bang, showing off its smartphone with its near bezel-less display. But, over the past few months, the company has had issues, and now another one has arrived. Read more...

Essential debuts Pure White model of the PH-1

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:16:02 +0000

After months of delays, the Essential PH-1 finally started shipping to customers in late August. Now, the firm has introduced a new color, the Pure White variant, and made it available for sale. Read more...

Essential addresses touch issues, new colors, and Android 8.0 Oreo

Timi Cantisano — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:34:01 +0000

The team behind the Essential PH-1 has addressed some of the concerns about the handset and has also shed light about upcoming updates like Android 8.0 Oreo, along with the availability of new colors. Read more...

Essential PH-1 estimated to have sold around 5,000 units since release

Timi Cantisano — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 22:02:01 +0000

While there was quite a bit of hype surrounding the release of the Essential PH-1, it appears that the hype didn't translate to sales, as it is being reported that only 5,000 units have been sold. Read more...

Essential PH-1s begin showing up at customers' doors, silencing naysayers

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 17:10:01 +0000

After months of delays and a major data privacy incident, the Essential PH-1 is finally arriving for those who ordered. The handset is available to purchase and is priced at $699. Read more...

Poll: Did you receive a shipping confirmation email from Essential?

Timi Cantisano — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 00:12:01 +0000

The journey has been a long and bumpy one for Essential, a company that is now valued at over $1 billion. It finally announced the start of shipments, but some in the community remain skeptical. Read more...

After months of delays, the Essential Phone is finally shipping

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 09:34:01 +0000

After months of delays, the Essential PH-1 is finally shipping to customers who pre-ordered the device. If you were among them, you should get an email with tracking info when it's on its way. Read more...

Essential PH-1 finds its way to Amazon, set for a September 1 release

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 18:42:02 +0000

Essential's PH-1 was announced in May and after a long delay is finally going to make its way into the hands of eager customers. Amazon has now posted the handset, making it available on September 1. Read more...

Despite smartphone delay, Andy Rubin's Essential is now valued at over a billion dollars

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:36:02 +0000

Andy Rubin's Essential is now valued at over a billion dollars thanks to a new investment. Although the firm has yet to ship its handset, it is expected to announce more information on August 25. Read more...

Essential PH-1 release could be imminent, preview event scheduled for August 25

Timi Cantisano — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 04:08:02 +0000

After a long delay, it appears that Essential could finally be preparing to launch the PH-1. The firm has been sending out invites to a First Look event that will take place on August 25. Read more...

Best Buy lists Essential's PH-1, bringing the handset's arrival to retail closer to reality

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 19:14:01 +0000

It looks like the delayed handset from Andy Rubin's Essential startup is finally coming a bit closer to launch. The PH-1 was spotted on Best Buy's site, who will offer the Sprint and unlocked variant. Read more...

Essential loses a top executive, still hasn't shipped its first handset

Timi Cantisano — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 17:32:01 +0000

It has only been a few months since Essential burst onto the scene teasing a new Android smartphone. Today, it has yet to ship its first device and has now apparently lost one of its top executives. Read more...