Nextbit CTO sees Google Pixel unlimited full-resolution photo storage as ‘validation’

Nextbit, the startup behind the Android-based Robin smartphone that syncs apps and photos online to prevent users from running out of storage, told VentureBeat in an email today that it views the Google Pixel phones’ promise of unlimited full-resolution storage of photos and videos in Google Photos as validation of its model.

The Nextbit Robin became available for purchase in February for $399. Now it’s available for $299 — $350 less than the smaller of the two new Google Pixel phones, which will start shipping from the Google Store in the next few weeks.

Here’s what Nextbit cofounder and chief technology officer Mike Chan had to say when VentureBeat asked for the startup’s perspective on the Pixel’s unlimited photo and video storage:

It’s great to see others like Google recognizing and tackling the storage problem with software, instead of just adding higher local storage options in with corresponding higher price points. It’s definitely validation for what we started on a few years back and I’d be curious to see if Google will continue to keep this a Pixel exclusive, or open to other OEMs.

Chan and his fellow cofounder Tom Moss previously worked on Android at Google; their startup has attracted funding from Alphabet subsidiary GV, as well as Accel Partners. The phone picked up momentum through a Kickstarter campaign in which Nextbit raised $1.3 million and met its $500,000 goal after less than one day.

In covering the Pixel launch this week, a few media outlets pointed to Nextbit’s Robin as having set a precedent when it promised that users wouldn’t have to worry about running out of space on their phone. Nextbit did not release any statement.

The Robin comes with 32GB of local storage and 100GB of online storage. The Pixel phones are available with 32GB of local storage or 128GB locally for $100 extra.