Gallery: The Father of Android Is Back, and He's Built the Anti-iPhone

  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    01

    AndyRubinHP.jpg

    Essential CEO Andy Rubin at the Playground Global offices in Palo Alto.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    02

    AndyRubin2.jpg

    Rubin has a long history of making mobile devices, from the Sidekick to the G1 to the Droid.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    03

    AndyRubin3.jpg

    The Essential team wanted to build products that felt more crafted than your average gadget, that felt more like furniture than technology.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    04

    AndyRubin4.jpg

    Since Essential's not trying to sell phones to everyone on the planet, they went after a more refined, fashion-forward aesthetic.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    05

    AndyRubin5.jpg

    Essential's offices, at the Playground headquarters, are full of cool gadgets and cooler furniture.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    06

    AndyRubin6.jpg

    Andy Rubin's first love will always be robots. And so robots are everywhere at Essential.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    07

    AndyRubin7.jpg

    Rubin likes nice things. Nice cars, nice motorcycles. This is just one of his collection.
  • Andy Rubin and Playground Global for WIRED
    Carlos Chavarría for WIRED
    08

    AndyRubin8.jpg

    Rubin in his office with his dog (and semi-official Essential mascot), Cosmo.
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