Now all we need is a release date. That might be coming in a few weeks according to Essential president Niccolo De Masi. Nothing like waiting until you have to fight for attention amongst a new iPhone or Galaxy Note, is there?

Update: Access Technology Ventures announced it invested $100 million in Essential Products, as part of a $300 million round of funding that included Amazon's Alexa Fund, Tencent and other venture capitalists. Essential CEO Andy Rubin says that next week you'll be able to find out more about where to get one of the phones, which are "in full production."