Essential will be closing its doors this year

Essential, the company founded by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, will be shutting its doors just under three years since it started. The company launched the Essential Phone back in May 2017 to mixed reviews. It's helped pioneer the front-facing camera notch that we've seen in a lot of modern smartphones. But after a New York Times report released in October of 2018 reported about Andy Rubin being removed from Google following a $90 million payout over sexual misconduct allegations, the company was pushed into obscurity because Rubin's reputation was tied heavily with the company's.

Essential tried to tease a new kind of phone called Project Gem after that. But it seems it wasn't enough to help revive the company. Essential says they're shutting down because they can't find a way to deliver Gem to consumers. As for existing Essential Phone owners, the February security update will be the last update the phone will get. And those using their email client Newton mail will have access to it until April 30, 2020.

Source: Essential

Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

Mobile World Congress or MWC, which is the world's largest phone trade show, took the unprecedented step of cancelling the entire show set to happen between February 24 and 27 in Barcelona, Spain. The GSM Association (GSMA), which organizes MWC, has already released a statement about the show's cancellation due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. The trade show routinely attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world. Several companies, including LG, Amazon, Sony, and NVIDIA, have pulled out of the show ahead of GSMA's announcement citing concerns about the coronavirus. Coronavirus infections have affected over 42,000 people, with the total number of deaths at more than 1,000. 

GSMA CEO John Hoffman said in a statement, "With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world."

Source: CNET + The Verge

Samsung introduces Galaxy Buds

There must've been a positive response to the Galaxy Buds for Samsung to introduce a new one. Sorry, we had to. But yes, there's also a new Samsung Galaxy Buds+ launched alongside the Galaxy S20 series and the Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy Buds+ promises an impressive 11-hour listening time on a single charge, which you can double with the included case. But if you're in a hurry, Samsung claims that three minutes of charging can give you "around one hour" of listening time.

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Samsung wants you to join the fold with the Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung seems to have figured out, or at the very least, worked on the issues with its first Galaxy Fold device. For their troubles, we get the more compact, Motorola Razr competitor: Galaxy Z Flip. The phone looks to have addressed common complaints, at least upon first glance. Actual use could prove to be an entirely different thing.

For now, the Galaxy Z Flip seems to have a robust hinge, which lets you open it in any position. It's said to open smoothly without any creaks. But that does make it harder to open, especially with one hand. It's like a classic clamshell, but it isn't at the same time. 

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