Live data from Hacker News

Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

essential.com

131–140 of 255 posts

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#131
post #41
post #36

They seem to avoid mentioning the version of Android they are running - the specs only say "Android". I'd like to be exited about this, but this uncertainty combined with the fact that their security personnel is a team of dogs[1] makes it quite hard for me. [1] https://www.essential.com/about

I thought you were being unimaginably rude until I went to the page and saw that there were actual dogs listed.

I __think__ they mean physical security (as in, Guard Dogs), rather than their Software Security team.

Still, the optics aren't good.

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For what it's worth, my Rhino Shield "crash guard" case [0] has saved several iPhones from multiple waist-high drops onto concrete. Shock transfer into the screen simply does not seem to be an issue. It doesn't cover the front, it just extends a few mm in front of the screen to prevent "flat front" impact. It's still susceptible to smashing the screen on a corner, but how often does someone really drop their phone sc…

>[...] my Rhino Shield "crash guard" case [0] has saved several iPhones [...] How do you know that?

Because I have owned several, and none of them have broken despite several impacts on hard ground. Meanwhile the iPhones of my friends and family have not been so lucky in other cases (that aren't massive Otterbox cases). Small sample size, but relatively controlled experiment.

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#133
post #9

Ok, a new phone made by the creator of Android which claims to be extremely well built. However, since most phones now tend to reach the "good enough" level, my main question is about software and left unanswered. What version/flavour of Android does it run? How will updates be planned? For how many years will updates be provided? What's the size of the security team at Essential? Providing an up-to-date Android with…

> What version/flavour of Android I hope they offer a Windows 10 option in the future. Full Windows 10 on ARM with x86 Win32 emulation offers capability not available on Android or iOS. Being able to run Win32 software on the device would be very useful for a lot of people.

It's hard to see any manufacturer seriously revisiting the Windows story on mobile platforms. It has died a couple of times already, and for a casual observer it looks like Microsoft is more committed to Android+iOS story now too.

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#134

„Why 360 changes everything“ Where does all the excitement for 360° videos come from? In its current implementation it adds absolutely nothing for the viewer and strips away the possibility for the creator to tell a story by choosing what the viewer sees. Useful for VR yes, on a flat screen just no.

Most consumers don't want to "tell a story" but record memories. The auteurs who wish to "tell a story" can crop the viewport to their hearts desire without limiting choices for everyone else who isn't a tortured genius.

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#135
I am not impressed by the website at all. It is very well designed and in some ways pretends to give you a lot of information but I find myself asking the most basic of questions. What is Essential, does it do hardware, software or both? Is it running a special Android or vanilla? What is the screen made of? There is all this hype about how strong the phone is but I have never heard anyone complain that aluminum is not strong enough for their purposes etc.

For a marketing site, I am just not impressed with the amount of important information. Maybe the answers to all of this are in there, but it is so poorly arranged that after checking in a bunch of places I expect it to be. I have given up

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#136
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought you were being unimaginably rude until I went to the page and saw that there were actual dogs listed.

Wow. For a platform that struggles with security, listing a security team entirely composed of dogs comes across as the equivalent of "I drive better drunk!". One has to wonder whether it was intended as a joke or as a dismissal, and in both cases it evidences an alarming attitude towards a very serious problem. EDIT: If there were humans on that team in addition to the dogs, I'd not be nearly so upset.

[deleted]

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#137
Between generic brands and Apple, I don't think there is room for a third competitor. Fitbit learned this the hard way trying to sit in-between.

Trying to make a brand that is more expensive than Apple will likely fail. They have made gold devices before. Plus, most of luxury is perception - and they stand no chance of having better brand marketing and recognition.

I don't think that the operating system is enough of a differentiator, particularly when Google controls the software while promoting their own high-end hardware.

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#138
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow what? A space that needs more competition? Android phones???

The high-end smartphone market is dominated by Apple, with Samsung a very distant second.

> The high-end smartphone market is dominated by Apple, with Samsung a very distant second.

Only if you're measuring by profit/revenue.

If you're measuring by actual high-end features delivered, and customer satisfaction, then No!, the high-end smartphone market is very competitive

Re: Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company

#140
post #135

I am not impressed by the website at all. It is very well designed and in some ways pretends to give you a lot of information but I find myself asking the most basic of questions. What is Essential, does it do hardware, software or both? Is it running a special Android or vanilla? What is the screen made of? There is all this hype about how strong the phone is but I have never heard anyone complain that aluminum is n…

The example picture of the waves rolling on the beach doesn't even look all that high quality. Perhaps it is my crappy monitors at work, but it looks pretty basic.
Post reply on HN