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Essential is working on a really long smartphone
Tweeted by founder, Andy Rubin
How many weird smartphones have we seen this year so far? February’s Galaxy Fold announcement sparked an overwhelming wave of creativity in the industry. Since then, smartphone designers have churned out the most bizarre concepts and prototypes including a rolled smartphone, a peekaboo camera, and some outright weird ones. And the year isn’t even done yet.
Essential, yesteryear’s hottest upcoming brand, is officially testing an all-new form factor. The company’s founder, Andy Rubin, recently tweeted a series of photos detailing the new device. Unlike today’s “bigger is better” motto, Essential’s upcoming smartphone is a long one. Literally.
Rather than the usual aspect ratios, the long Essential smartphone is much, much taller than it is wide. On the rear, the device sports a single camera lens and an LED flash. It will come in at least four different colors: azure, vermillion, orange, and turquoise (as far as we can see, at least). All four colors have a very metallic sheen. In fact, some colors even have a slight gradient.
Of course, software is another story. The screen has a sizable bezel, for one. On the other hand, the user interface is an entirely different story. Because of the orientation, apps are more elongated. For sure, the software will require more developer support.
Given the size, the upcoming smartphone might be a problem for small hands and tiny fingers. Unfortunately, the tweet does not show much of the phone’s operation or projected development cycle.
Because of Essential’s past, the smartphone is still an unknown. Last December, the company canceled the development of the Essential Phone’s successor. Likewise, Rubin was also recently embroiled in a sexual misconduct case during his time with Google. The tech giant supposedly bribed the former Google employee to leave the company after the misconduct investigations.
In any case, despite the uncertainty, Essential’s long phone is a strange addition to the crowding market.
SEE ALSO: Essential Phone gets cheaper and comes with a bunch of accessories
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition launches February 14 on Ubisoft+, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Ubisoft Store and Steam.
Ubisoft developed the anniversary release with Digital Eclipse and Ubisoft Montpellier to celebrate 30 years of the original 1995 platforming classic. The package includes five versions of the game, covering PlayStation, Atari Jaguar, MS-DOS, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Color.
Players return to familiar locations like the Dream Forest and the Band Lands. The goal remains the same. Rescue the Electoons and stop Mr. Dark.
This edition keeps the original experience intact while adding new content. Highlights include a never-before-playable SNES prototype, 120 extra levels from bonus packs, and a reimagined soundtrack by composer Christophe Héral. New quality-of-life features are also included, such as a 60-second rewind, infinite lives, and optional invincibility.
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition also features an exclusive interactive documentary. It offers over 50 minutes of new interviews with the original developers, alongside unseen concept art, early sketches, and design documents that trace the series’ origins.
The game launches digitally tomorrow. A physical edition arrives in select regions this June.
CES has always been about showing what’s possible with technology. At Samsung’s First Look session for CES 2026, the company leaned into that idea—not by unveiling a single hero product, but by showing how its entire ecosystem can work as one.
Samsung showcased plenty of familiar hardware. Robot vacuums. Washer-dryer combos. The Frame TVs. Even the attention-grabbing Galaxy Z Trifold made an appearance. But the real focus wasn’t any one device.
It was how all of these products connect end-to-end—and how easily they can be controlled through a Samsung Galaxy phone or watch.
This is what Samsung now calls its vision of being a “companion to AI living,” and at CES 2026, it was less about futuristic promises and more about everyday flow.
AI as an ecosystem, not a feature
At The First Look, Samsung framed AI not as a checkbox feature, but as a foundation that runs across mobile, displays, home appliances, and services. The idea is simple: devices shouldn’t feel like separate tools. They should behave like one system that understands routines, preferences, and context.
That theme carried across the exhibition floor, where displays showed how TVs talk to kitchen appliances, how wearables feed into home routines, and how SmartThings quietly connects it all in the background.
Samsung executives positioned this scale as the company’s advantage. With hundreds of millions of connected SmartThings users worldwide, the ecosystem has enough real-world data to move AI from reactive to assistive—and, eventually, proactive.
The TV becomes an active companion
On the display side, Samsung’s vision pushes TVs beyond passive viewing. The company introduced Vision AI Companion, a system designed to guide what you watch, listen to, and even eat—based on what’s on screen and what’s happening around you.
At the center of the showcase was the massive 130-inch Micro RGB display, a statement piece that set the tone for Samsung’s 2026 TV lineup. But more interesting than its size or picture quality was how Samsung wants users to interact with their screens.
From adjusting sound levels during sports broadcasts to pulling up recipes inspired by a cooking show, the TV becomes a hub for lifestyle decisions. Those recommendations can then be sent directly to other devices—like kitchen appliances or mobile screens—without breaking the flow.
Samsung also confirmed that its 2026 TVs will support seven years of Tizen OS upgrades, positioning the TV as a long-term platform rather than a disposable display.
When appliances start doing the thinking
In the home, Samsung’s AI push focused on reducing friction in daily chores. The upgraded Family Hub refrigerator now uses AI Vision powered by Google Gemini to better track food items as they go in and out, making meal planning more automatic.
Features like “What’s for Today?” turn the fridge into a decision-maker, suggesting meals based on what’s available—or offering something random when you’re tired of choosing. Those recipes can then be sent to connected cooking appliances, creating a surprisingly smooth loop from planning to execution.
Laundry and cleaning also got similar treatment. The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo removes the need to transfer loads, while the AirDresser tackles wrinkles with minimal effort. Even the robot vacuum now doubles as a home monitor, capable of recognizing spills, navigating intelligently, and responding to conversational voice commands.
It’s all designed to make the background tasks of daily life fade into the background even more.
From reactive care to proactive wellness
Samsung also outlined a longer-term vision for health, where phones, wearables, and home devices work together to spot patterns before they become problems.
The company highlighted future plans around personalized exercise and sleep coaching, nutrition suggestions tied to what’s in your fridge, and early detection of potential health concerns. If something looks off, the system could alert users and connect them with healthcare providers through integrated platforms.
It’s an ambitious shift—from reacting to health issues to preventing them—and one that leans heavily on trust, data security, and accuracy.
Security as the quiet backbone
Underpinning the entire ecosystem is Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix, which the company positions as essential to making AI feel personal without feeling invasive. As AI models evolve, Samsung says its security systems are evolving alongside them, focusing on protecting data not just in use, but also during training and processing.
It’s a necessary reassurance, especially as AI becomes more embedded in private spaces like homes, kitchens, and bedrooms.
Tech, culture, and the Samsung brand
The event also leaned into culture as part of the experience. Actor Ahn Hyo Seop (KPop Demon Hunters, Business Proposal) appeared as Samsung’s TV ambassador, while K-pop elements were woven throughout the exhibition. Several displays featured the Studio Choom performance of IVE’s “XOXZ.” One of their members — Jang Wonyoung — is a long-time Samsung Galaxy ambassador.
It was a reminder that Samsung’s vision of AI living isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about entertainment, identity, and how technology fits into modern lifestyles.
A quieter, more confident CES message
At CES 2026, Samsung didn’t try to win attention with one loud announcement. Instead, it presented a calmer, more cohesive idea: that the future of AI isn’t a single breakthrough device, but a network of products that understand each other—and, ideally, you.
If Samsung can make that ecosystem feel as seamless in real homes as it did on the CES floor, “AI living” might finally start to feel less like a buzzword and more like a daily convenience.
Singapore
OPPO Singapore celebrates National Day with SG60 campaign
Capturing Singapore’s beauty, diversity, spirit
OPPO Singapore celebrated the island’s 60th birthday through a vibrant SG60 campaign. This multi-dimensional initiative was designed to honor the milestone through youth creativity, technology, and community engagement.
One of the campaign’s major highlight was inviting the local photography community to capture the nation’s unique spirit. The theme for this contest was “Super Every Singapore Moment.”
The initiative invited Singaporeans to capture and celebrate the spirit of the nation through the lens of their smartphones. Moreover, the campaign is also part of the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025, so entries will have a shot at further distinction.
A social video was also published by OPPO later on to celebrate SG60. This clip highlighted how camera technology can empower creative expression and bridge connections with local creative communities.
Local celebrity Romeo Tan was featured in the video that highlighted the works of 20 enthusiasts. Their images reflected Singapore’s everyday beauty, diversity, and spirit.
More than just a tribute, OPPO says the video is a visual letter to the nation, crafted through the creative lens of local talent.
Meanwhile, Singaporeans can still join the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025. Entries are accepted until October 15 through the official contest platform. Winners can get up to US$ 5,000 and have their work exhibited globally.
Lastly, OPPO has partnered with Nanyang Technology University (NTU)’s veNTUre program to launch the OPPO Creative Studio.
This campaign was organized jointly with NTU’s Career & Attachment Office. It equips students with industry insights, strategic marketing guidance, and potential internship opportunities.
Moreover, the program challenges participants to answer “What does SG60 mean to you?” Students are encouraged to explore and express their reflections on nationhood using the new OPPO Reno14 Pro.
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