Android co-creator Andy Rubin teases bezel-less smartphone

The co-creator of Android, Andy Rubin, left Google back in 2014 and has put up his own company called Essential in January of this year. Now, he's teasing what looks like the company's first smartphone. And it is quite eye-catching to say the least. It's looking to be a completely bezel-less device from the top. Whether that extends to the bottom is something we don't know at the moment. 

This smartphone is supposed to be part of a first wave of devices Essential plans to launch. Rumour has it Rubin plans to launch a smartphone mid-2017 that will have a larger display than the Apple iPhone 7 Plus but will have a smaller form factor because of the lack of bezels. It'll also supposedly have metal edges and a ceramic back. Essential is supposedly in talks with Foxconn to build the smartphone. Perhaps this is it and if it is, then we might be seeing it pretty soon. 

I'm really excited about how this is shaping up.  Eager to get it in more people's hands... pic.twitter.com/LRzQCFSKTm

— Andy Rubin (@Arubin) March 27, 2017

Source: The Next Web 

Android creator plans to build AI-centered smartphone

Android maker Andy Rubin has been out of Google for over two years already but it looks like he’s kept busy and is planning to re-enter the segment he left. Rumour has it Rubin is planning to launch a company that’ll produce a high-end smartphone that will focus on artificial intelligence and have a bezel-free screen and ceramic back. The company, which will be called Essential, has been registered by Rubin as “Essential Products Inc.” in California back in November 2015. The word “Essential” has also been submitted at the end of last year to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with smartphones, tablets, and mobile OS software as part of the outfit’s goods and services. The company is supposedly composed of around 40 people with a lot of them recruited from both Apple and Google.

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Former Android head Andy Rubin to depart from Google

Google will be losing Andy Rubin, the co-founder of Android and head of nascent robotics business. Rubin will reportedly start a company that will support startups who will create technology hardware. Research scientist and robotics group member James Kuffner will replace Rubin. Last year, Sundar Pichai, the browser and applications head, replaced Rubin as head of Android division. The move placed the company’s mobile software, Chrome browser, and applications under one management.

Source: The Wall Street Journal