Essential introduces Project GEM, a remote sized smartphone
October 12, 2019The company behind the first Essential Phone, has announced that it’s working on a follow-up model. The project is still in its infancy with the company introducing teaser images of it on its website and Twitter account. Called Project GEM, the peculiarly sized phone resembles a touchscreen remote control more than a full fledged smartphone.
On Twitter, Essential says that it is “working on a new device to re-frame your perspective on mobile”. This unusually shaped phone has a tall but narrow touchscreen, which runs counter to the dimensions of every other smartphone on the market. Fittingly, the phone comes in several glossy colours resembling hues found on, well, gems. Little else is known about the device but it will be interesting to find out Essential’s marketing strategy here.
We've been working on a new device to reframe your perspective on mobile. It's now in early testing with our team outside the lab. Look forward to sharing more in the near future! #ProjectGEM pic.twitter.com/BnVy7yM2Kj
— Essential (@essential) October 9, 2019
The first Essential Phone, was a breath of fresh air to those wanting something out of the ordinary as far as Android devices were concerned. It was aimed at offering a sleek and intuitive user experience wrapped in an elegant package that may have been inspired by industrial design. A premium Android device, an alternative to Google’s ‘safe’ designed smartphones.
Andy Rubin, the founder and CEO of the company was also the co-founder of Android. As we all know, Android was eventually acquired by Google in 2005 but Rubin continued to work with the search giant on several projects for about 9 years, until his departure in 2014.
It remains to be seen how Project GEM eventually pans out. Could this be the next game changing device the tech industry has been waiting for? Though an interesting take on the current pocket computer, the news was met with some skepticism from the tech community. Despite this, we would like to reserve judgement till we actually get our hands on the actual device.
