Razer now into smartphones, acquires Nextbit Systems

Razer is now into smartphones. The American gaming giant that recently had two of its triple display Project Valerie laptop prototypes stolen, has acquired Nextbit Systems, the startup company that developed the innovative cloud-based smartphone called the Robin. Nextbit CEO and co-founder Tom Moss confirmed the acquisition via a press release.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we’re joining the Razer family. They’re rebels like us, they speak from the heart and they share our need to push boundaries,” said Moss. “Nextbit will operate as an independent division inside Razer, focused on unique mobile design and experiences. To put it simply, we’ll be doing exactly what we’ve been doing all along, only bigger and better.”

Moss also added that while the company has ceased selling units of the Robin handset and all of its accessories through its official channels, Nextbit intends to continue providing support to its smartphone users. The company is set to fulfil warranties for six more months. Nextbit will also continue to provide software updates and security patches until February of next year.

The Robin, dubbed by Nextbit as the “smarter smartphone,” started out as a Kickstarter project that had an initial goal of US$500,000 (AU$662,200). The final pledge amount was almost triple the intended number, and the company ended up with almost US$1.4 million (AU$1.85 million).

The Nextbit Robin provides virtually unlimited storage space as it intelligently adapts to its user’s storage needs. It also automatically optimises space when needed. Through its continuous learning of the user’s app preferences and storage needs, the Robin offloads all unused and unwanted content to the cloud so that those that really matter and needed stay in the phone.

By default, the Robin backs up files and media content whenever it is connected to power and Wi-Fi. The longer the phone is used, the more intelligent it becomes. When space starts running out, it wisely gets rid of apps, photos and other files that haven’t been used for a while, even on offline mode. If the user wants an offloaded app or file back, one tap is all it takes and it’s fully restored in an instant.

Neither Razer nor Nextbit elaborated on any specific future venture. The total worth of the acquisition wasn’t revealed as well. As earlier mentioned, Nextbit Systems is set to remain as an independent operating division under Razer that will design and develop products, although a Robin successor won’t be launching anytime soon.

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