OSOM Phones: The Epic Fail that Never Was
In a shocking turn of events, OSOM Products Inc. – the mobile phone company founded by former Essential employees who couldn’t even make it out of the gate – is reportedly shutting down this week, after only releasing a single phone that nobody wanted. Yes, you read that right. The company that couldn’t even manage to sell a phone, let alone make a profit, is calling it quits.
But don’t worry, the real twist is yet to come. Just days ago, the company’s former chief privacy officer sued OSOM’s CEO, claiming that he used business funds to splurge on personal luxuries like Lamborghinis, racing, and a fat mortgage. Talk about taking the phrase "using company funds for personal gain" to a whole new level.
And to add insult to injury, OSOM’s executives announced the shutdown during an internal meeting on Tuesday, where they apparently told employees that most of them would be laid off on Friday, but hey, at least they’ll get some severance pay and continued healthcare. What a consolation prize for all their hard work.
But don’t worry, the saga (pun intended) doesn’t end there. OSOM partnered with blockchain company Solana to launch the Saga smartphone, which had a built-in crypto wallet and other apps that relied on Solana’s blockchain features. And now, a few engineers will be left behind to deliver a security update for the Saga in December and wrap up the company’s obligations to Solana. How’s that for a final act of desperation?
So, as OSOM phones go the way of the dinosaur, we can’t help but wonder: what’s the real story behind this debacle? Was it a poorly planned venture from the get-go? Did the company’s CEO really think that using business funds for personal indulgences would be a good idea? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: OSOM’s downfall is a cautionary tale for any company that thinks it can make it in the cutthroat world of tech without a solid business plan and a healthy dose of common sense.
