It’s now easier to join Android Oreo beta program for Essential Phone users

Essential is making it easier for its users to try out Android Oreo in beta before it officially rolls out on its platform. Users previously needed to sideload the update to get it to work. While not an entirely difficult process, it still required some extra steps to get the latest Android update into their phones. But now, the company can send out the update over-the-air. All you need to do is sign up on the company’s website. You’ll just need to provide your email and serial number for the update to head your way within 72 hours. If you own an Essential device and want the latest Android has to offer, now is the time to sign up. Word of caution, though, beta builds aren’t the most stable so be sure you have your important files and apps elsewhere.

Source: 9to5Google

Essential Phone set to come in new, limited edition colours

If you’ve been holding off on getting the Essential Phone because of its looks, you might reconsider with the new limited edition colour schemes the company is planning to launch this week. Essential kicked it off on February 15^th with the launch of the Ocean Depths colour, which features a striking teal back with gold edging surrounding the phone and its fingerprint sensor. Coming up on February 20^th and going on sale at 12:00 PST over at Essential.com is the Stellar Gray colour. It features a matte gray back that gives the phone a smooth feel but possibly better grip, the sides are adorned with a lighter shade of gray.

Coming on the 22^nd is the new Copper Black variant of the Essential Phone. It might look like the traditional “black on black” colour scheme but Essential switches this up by adding a shiny copper line along the edges. A fourth variant was unveiled the day after Ocean Depths model was announced. The Halo Gray version is unlike its brothers as it’s the only one to come with Amazon’s Alexa out of the box. Essential made the announcement on Twitter saying the phone is available for pre-order from Amazon for US$449.99. The other three limited edition colours will be available for $599 and Essential emphasizes these are limited edition so if you’re interested in owning one, you might want to hop on Essential’s site as soon as possible.

Source: Android Authority 

The February security update for Android starts rolling out to the Essential Phone

Essential has had their fair share of issues since the company was launched last year. But we have to give credit where credit is due, they’re one of the companies that have kept up with the security updates almost instantaneously. Just a day after AOSP posted the February 2018 Android Security Bulletin, Essential rolled out a software update for the Essential Phone with the security patch included. So if you have an Essential Phone, you can expect to see this update head your way pretty soon.

Source: Android Authority

Essential Phone fixes issues with its camera app

The newest update coming to the Essential Phone puts the focus on new camera features in hopes of appeasing those who are criticizing the phone for its pitfalls in this area. It isn’t a major update but it does improve the experience of using the camera app. The stability of the app itself has been improved to prevent it from freezing up occasionally. On top of this, Essential adds app shortcuts to the camera app. You just need to long-press the camera icon and you can get access to features like mono, selfie, and portrait modes. Essential also optimized the Camera Roll, which has also been prone to crashes.

Source: 9to5Google