Essential might not have a new phone to sell you, but it does have a free OTA update today. Google has started rolling out the latest Android patches, and Essential has them ready for the Essential Phone, as tradition dictates. Don't expect new features, but security is pretty important, too.
Read MoreEssential releases July security patch, continuing trend of ultra-fast updates
For a company that laid a third of its staff off last year and whose future in smartphones seems uncertain, Essential is doing incredibly well with updates. Even though the Essential Phone has been officially discontinued, Andy Rubin & co continue to pump out security patches the same day as Google, and nothing's changed in that department for July.
Read MoreOfficial LineageOS builds now available for Essential Phone
The Essential Phone has been around since 2017, but surprisingly, it has never officially been supported by the popular LineageOS custom ROM. The phone is still receiving updates from Essential at a rapid pace, so there hasn't been much of a need to replace the stock software, but now you can install official LineageOS builds if you so desire.
Read MoreEssential continues to roll out monthly Android patches right on time
By all accounts, Essential doesn't have a whole lot going on right now. It launched one phone about 18 months ago and has been cutting staff ever since. If Essential is working on another phone, it hasn't seen fit to talk about that. So, what is there to do other than keep the Essential Phone updated? Another month, another instant update for Essential Phone owners.
Read More[Update: OTA, 3a images] Android Q Beta 3 is now available, delivers plenty of new features
Following our previous expectations and just in time for developers in attendance at the ongoing I/O developer conference, Google has just pushed out downloads for Android Q Beta 3. OTAs don't seem to be pushing out via the traditional means just yet, but you can start sideloading the update on your Pixel now. Beta 3 also adds support for 15 other partner devices from 12 OEMs.
Read MoreEssential Phone gets May security patch, Bluetooth and shutdown fixes
Following the Pixels getting theirs today, Essential has pushed out the May security patch to the Essential Phone, right on time. This is quite typical for the company to be the first third-party OEM to update their phones, and unlike others, these patches are applied for everyone, not just those who opt into beta programs.
Read MoreThe Essential Phone gets its April OTA right on time
No, this is not an April Fool—Essential is still updating the Essential Phone with remarkable speed. The phone, which launched in 2017, is getting its April OTA update at the same time as Google's phones. There are some minor tweaks to functionality, but this is mostly about security patches.
Read MoreEssential Phone March update adds Digital Wellbeing
Things have slowed down for Essential, which launched its only phone about 18 months ago. The company is at least doing a good job of keeping that phone up to date. After a shockingly quick Pie update, Essential has stayed on top of monthly patches. In the latest OTA, the Essential Phone is getting Google's Digital Wellbeing.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Essential Phone isn't dead yet, picks up January update mere hour after Pixels
Essential's January update to the PH-1 was a bit delayed compared to the company's usual standards. Instead of the typical near-simultaneous release, we had to wait just over an hour for the Essential Phone to get this months' patches. For fans of the house of Rubin, that's nearly an eternity.
Read MoreThe Essential Phone is officially discontinued, and a successor may be coming
Earlier today, Droid Life remarked that the Essential Phone was now sold out on Amazon, speculating that this might be "the end" for the PH-1. This was after the company's own storefront appeared to run out of stock last week and Best Buy's unlocked listing has the phone as "no longer available." Curious, we reached out to Essential for more info and were told the company "won't be adding any new inventory," while it focuses on its next mobile device.
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