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Life & fun · May 30, 2017

Essential

New phone and 360 camera by Andy Rubin

Essential launched on May 30, 2017 with 680 votes, #9 of 3,229 launches that month and more than 99% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 9 years on.

In plain words

Essential is a phone and 360-degree camera created by Andy Rubin. The phone is designed as a primary device with a modular approach to hardware, while the accompanying camera captures spherical video and photos. The product targets users interested in mobile technology and immersive content creation. Essential combines smartphone functionality with innovative camera technology for consumers seeking both communication tools and creative imaging capabilities.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

The first step towards an AI operating system.

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