https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/29/andy-rubin-takes-leave-from-essential/ >Andy Rubin has taken a leave of absence from Essential. The phone maker’s founder and CEO will be taking time off from the company to “deal with personal matters,” a spokesman for the company confirmed with TechCrunch this morning. >According to a statement, Rubin announced his intention at a board meeting earlier this month. “The board agreed,” the spokesman writes, “and our President, Niccolo de Masi, will continue to run day to day operations at Essential.”