Nextbit robin smartphone takes you to the cloud

Robin sports a unique design that's instantly recognizable. Photo: Nextbit

Robin sports a unique design that’s instantly recognizable. Photo: Nextbit

Nextbit, the startup led by Android veterans and a former HTC design chief, today announced Robin, a device that combines impressive specifications with a unique storage system that wants to take your smartphone experience to the cloud.

Robin is powered by a custom Android operating system that brings local and cloud-based storage together seamlessly. It learns which apps you use and how much space you need, then sends data that doesn’t need to be stored locally up to a 100GB locker in the cloud.

Robin also backs up your data when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything. And if you want a photo you haven’t accessed for a while, simply find it in your gallery and Robin will restore the original version in all its glory.

Robin comes in mint and midnight color options. Photo: Nextbit

Robin comes in mint and midnight color options. Photo: Nextbit

With 32GB of internal storage, Robin should have enough space for all the stuff you do want to keep locally. It also packs a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch 1080p display, and a 2,680mAh battery.

There’s also a 13-megapixel camera on its back, and a 5-megapixel camera and stereo speakers on its front. Robin is also one of the first Android-powered smartphones — after the OnePlus 2 — to offer USB-C and a fingerprint scanner.

A sneak peek at Robin's software. Screenshots: Nextbit

A sneak peek at Robin’s software. Screenshots: Nextbit

Robin will be available through Kickstarter initially, and it hopes to raise $500,000 over the next 30 days. The first 1,000 backers will enjoy a $100 discount that reduces Robin’s price to $299, while all other backers will pay $349 — $50 less than its final retail price.

Robin will begin shipping during the first quarter of next year.