A phone or a remote?

Essential is breaking its silence as it announced that they are working on a prototype phone called Project GEM.

The Project GEM sports an unusual form factor, with its extra-tall display and a shape that is reminiscent of an Apple remote. There’s also a punch-hole for the front camera, a single rear camera, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, and colors that shift hues.

https://twitter.com/Arubin/status/1181688540540764160

Based on the photos teased both by Essential and founder Andy Rubin, Project GEM is running a customized version of Android, and with the usual apps like Phone, Maps, Compass, Messages, and Gallery, along with a Spotify widget.

Peculiar form factor aside, Essential’s second device appears to be very promising and is a great follow-up to the Essential Phone PH-1.