Essential Products – Andy Rubin’s new hardware company • Hacker News Board

I think they're selling a new Android phone, plus some accessories like a 360 camera, but the site makes it seem like the 360 camera is the main product.

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

#8

Post by look_lookatme » Tue, May 30, 2017, 10:47 AM UTC

gadders wrote: post #2

Chrome 40, so all I see is menu headings. Anyone got a summary?

Yeah the website is a total mess. First visual I see is a picture of Andy Rubin (???). Anyway, AFAICT, it's an android phone made from titanium and has some cool looking attachments.

Is there enough money in $750 Android phones like this? I would imagine this is a commodified market.

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

#9

Post by hbbio » Tue, May 30, 2017, 10:49 AM UTC

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 updates for at least 4 years like Apple does is key to me, as vulnerabilities come and go and the only reasonable way to be secure is to get security patches asap.

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

#10

Post by fao_ » Tue, May 30, 2017, 10:49 AM UTC

gadders wrote: post #2

Chrome 40, so all I see is menu headings. Anyone got a summary?

It's a new phone. The essential differences is that

> the casing is made out of titanium rather than aluminium -- the makers claim this is more resistant to drop damage.

> there are hole-clip attachments near the camera for peripherals (Notably the "360 camera" that they are also selling)

> There are no logos on the phone

I'm not sure if I've missed anything