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The OSOM-made Solana Saga gets its launch party on the calendar
Block off April 13 on your calendar chain
There was a lot for us to get excited for when OSOM burst onto the scene a couple years ago. Coming from the remnants of Andy Rubin's Essential, it looked like it was ready to tackle Android phones in ways the mass market hadn't with its OV1. Things took a left turn, though, when it announced that Web3 startup Solana was providing a ton of operating capital in exchange for a new phone with a new focus. Now, after nearly a year in waiting, we're finally going to hear everything about the Solana Saga, potentially including when customers can buy one.
The Android Police podcast takes on OSOM and Nothing with two episodes
Something awesome to listen to this weekend
We took a week off last week — sorry for not announcing it — but we're making it up this week with two episodes. We've got a conversation with Esper's Mishaal Rahman about OSOM Products, its lineage from when its employees were at Essential, and the turn from the OV1 to the blockchain-centered Solana Saga. Plus, we dig more into our Nothing Phone (1) review with Europe Editor Manuel Vonau on what kind of value Carl Pei wants to provide to his users.
OSOM's hotly-anticipated OV1 smartphone succumbs to crypto gimmick as Solana Saga
Good news: You can pre-order one now. Bad news: Now with 100% more crypto gimmicks, won't ship till next year.
Many of our readers have been waiting for OSOM, the company reformed from the ashes of an Andy Rubin-less Essential, to deliver the OV1 smartphone it's been teasing since 2020. In what will likely be a good news/bad news arrangement, you can now pre-order the phone, but some key details have changed. The OV1 is now the Solana Saga, a blockchain-integrated Android flagship.
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Essential was already struggling when Andy Rubin's past caught up to the fledgling startup, leading to its eventual dissolution. A big chunk of the Essential team has forged onward as OSOM with a greater focus on privacy. It'll be releasing its first smartphone soon, known as the OV1. It comes with a neat privacy-centric cable, which the company is showing off again ahead of release.
The OSOM OV1, an Essential Phone 'sequel', will be made of stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic
The company shares some specs and more design details for the upcoming OV1
As promised, OSOM now has more information to share about its upcoming OV1 phone now that it's MWC time. The company was able to share some specs and withheld others, but the thing I'm most excited for is that it will be made out of stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium. It's not the first Android phone to use these kinds of materials, but it's the first I can think of in a long time. Unfortunately, the phone has also been delayed slightly, with it now expected to launch in the second half of the year, though you might actually like the reason why.
The OSOM OV1 might come in fun colors like these, with a 'Summer 2022' launch now teased
Borealis Green evokes strong Ocean Depths vibes
OSOM, the smartphone company rising from the ashes of Essential, has taken to LinkedIn of all places recently to promote its upcoming phone. At this stage, nothing seems set in stone, but the company has shown off four bright colors the OV1 might come in. Co-founder and OSOM CMO Wolfgang W. Muller also indicates a "Summer 2022" launch could be possible.
Essential, the smartphone company once helmed by Android creator Andy Rubin, might be dead, but the rest of the team behind the cult-favorite phone isn’t done yet. Recently, I had the chance to sit down and speak to Jason Keats, the CEO and founder of OSOM Products, a company spun up from Essential’s remains last year. And after a year of teasing, Keats is finally ready and willing to talk about the company’s plans. Meet the OV1: OSOM’s first smartphone.
OSOM plans to release its first privacy-focused product next year
Essential may be dead, but OSOM is starting a life of its own
Essential may not be around anymore, but that doesn't mean the talented team that made up the company is taking a break. Essential's head of R&D, Jason Keats, founded OSOM Products earlier this year with a handful of former employees on board. Now a new interview has revealed a glimpse into the future of OSOM — and it's a vision that's focused pretty much entirely on user privacy.
(Update: More info) Former Essential staff have started a new company called OSOM Products
Expect some 'innovative' and 'wild' hardware from a team of past Essential employees
Read update
After launching one of the most hyped Android phones in recent years, Essential came to a sad end in the wake of the Andy Rubin controversy. The company still has a cult following and many are still using the Essential PH-1 despite the fact that it's no longer being supported. Those users will be excited to learn that a bunch of former employees are now part of a new company called OSOM Products, founded by Essential's head of R&D Jason Keats.