Remember the RED Hydrogen One smartphone that was launched 1.5 years after its announcement? It is currently sold in the a total of two countries (the United States and Mexico) and the company has now confirmed that it's shutting down the entire project.

The RED founder Jim Jannard has just announced on the company forum that he is retiring because of “a few health issues” and is shutting down the Hydrogen project.

I have spent the past 45 years building “inventions wrapped in art”.



Just now turning 70 and having a few health issues, it is now time for me to retire.



I will be shutting down the HYDROGEN project, ending a career that has included Oakley, RED Digital Cinema and HYDROGEN. I am very proud to have worked with many great people over the years who have signed on to the vision.



RED Digital Cinema will continue stronger than ever with Jarred, Tommy, and Jamin at the controls. Komodo is about to be launched… and the HYDROGEN One will continue to be supported in the future.



I want to thank everyone for the support I have felt over the years…



Jim

Back in July, RED announced it has begun the work on the Hydrogen Two with a new ODM that is “clearly more capable of building and supporting the product”, despite that the very same manufacturer would have issues implementing a new camera module.

In a lengthy forum post, filled with excuses and more delays, Jannard did not reveal whether a phone would arrive, nor did he clarify any specs. Now we know such a device will not come at all.

We want to say the company that dared to dream will be missed, but much like Icarus from Greek mythology, when you fly too close to the Sun, you inevitably burn down very very quickly.

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