Nextbit will start selling the Verizon version of the cloud-based smartphone Robin from Sept. 18.
The Nextbit Robin is a crowdfunding smartphone, and it has gained popularity since it can store files online. The smartphone can detect apps that are not frequently used and delete them from the handset and free up internal memory. However, a copy of the app is also stored in the cloud if the users want to access the app later.
Tom Moss, CEO of Nextbit, said that the initial version of Robin was only compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T. However, starting from 10 a.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 18, the Verizon version of Robin will be available from KickStarter on flash sale for $299 for the first 300 backers. After the flash sale, the handset will be sold for $349. Sale of the Verizon-compatible Nextbit Robin will only be available to U.S. backers.
"We received tons of fan mail asking us to make a Verizon compatible version of Robin. We've been working our tails (get it? tails?) off to bring you a version of Robin that can properly support the Verizon network and we're happy to tell you we've done it!" stated the Nextbit Robin KickStarter page.
The Nextbit Robin sports a 5.2-inch display with 1,920 x 1,080 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 424 ppi. The smartphone is equipped with a 13MP rear-facing camera and 5MP selfie camera.
A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB of RAM power the handset. The mobile phone also includes a fingerprint scanner. The handset will be available in two color options: Mint and Midnight.
Customers have the option the include majority of their data in cloud storage, but the handset has 32GB of on-board storage. The Nextbit Robin also supports Near-Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, 4G LTE and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.
The smartphone market is filled with a slew of handsets made by well-known brands such as Samsung, Apple, HTC, LG and more. Being a new entrant in the market, the Nextbit Robin may find it challenging to attract customers. However, the cloud storage feature of the handset may still attract many smartphone users.
The Nextbit Robin is expected to be shipped in the first quarter of 2016.
