Essential's Andy Rubin teases...half a phone?

Essential, the smartphone company founded by Android co-founder, ex-Googler Andy Rubin, is working on a new device — a very unusual one. 

On Tuesday, Rubin tweeted a few photos and a video of the device, named Project Gem, which looks like a cross between a phone and a remote control. 

Beyond saying that the device needs a "new UI for radically different formfactor," Rubin didn't share many details. Essential's official Twitter account followed up with a few more photos that say the device will "reframe your perspective in mobile," and that it's "in early testing".