Nothing, the brand new startup by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has reportedly acquired the one-time (and now defunct) smartphone model Essential. Pei’s Nothing has remained notably tight-lipped on how the brand new firm plans to make its mark within the know-how market. Earlier this month, Nothing was reportedly launching true wi-fi stereo (TWS) earbuds this 12 months. Now, the most recent acquisition hints that Nothing might be arising with its personal smartphone lineup as properly. However, this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt as Nothing has formally introduced nothing on its product launch plans but.
According to a report by 9to5Google, current filings on the UK Intellectual Property Office present that Essential co-founder, former Android CEO Andy Rubin, has signed over possession of the corporate to Carl Pei’s Nothing Technologies Limited. The publication says that the applying was filed as early as November 11, 2020 and was accomplished on January 6 this 12 months.
The deal ensures that each one current logos, logos of Essential are actually mental property of Nothing. This results in speculations that Nothing might be coming into the smartphone market within the close to future. However, the corporate hasn’t confirmed its plans but. It can be nonetheless unclear how the acquisition impacts the patents at the moment held by Essential.
Essential’s transient foray into smartphone market
Back in May 2017, the primary Essential Phone (aka Essential PH-1) was launched by Rubin alongside a wise speaker and a 360-degree digicam. However, resulting from unimpressive gross sales and different issues throughout the firm (together with allegations of sexual misconduct towards Rubin), the Essential Phone was discontinued in 2018. In February, the corporate introduced that it was shutting down. Essential was anticipated to launch a uniquely designed elongated telephone, beneath “Project Gem,” together with a couple of extra Essential Phone successors. Those plans have been quickly discarded as the corporate winded up. Now, it stays to be seen whether or not Nothing plans to breathe a recent lease of life to the Essential Phone lineup or decides to give you one thing solely new.
History of Nothing and future plans
In October final 12 months, OnePlus co-founder made his exit from the smartphone large and determined to start out a brand new enterprise. As per the company website, Nothing was based quickly after. Following a $7-million (roughly Rs. 50 crore) seed funding spherical, Nothing introduced its mission assertion earlier this 12 months – “To remove barriers between people and technology, and create a seamless digital future.” In February, Nothing led one other spherical of fundraising, this time accumulating $15 million (roughly Rs. 109 crore) with the assistance of GV (previously referred to as Google Ventures). The firm introduced Tuesday that it’ll open up a neighborhood funding spherical, to permit an funding of $1.5 million (roughly Rs. 10 crore) via a marketing campaign that can go stay on March 2.
Earlier this month, Nothing was reported to launch its first TWS earbuds this summer, as per GSMArena. The firm has remained tight-lipped round this improvement as properly.
For now, it seems we’ve to play the ready sport to see what Pei has up his sleeve with Nothing.
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