BoringPhone
- Unihertz Jelly Pro - The Smallest 4G Smartphone in the World - $124.99
- Tracfone Alcatel MyFlip 4G Prepaid Easy-to-Use Cell Phone for Seniors - $13.99
- BLU Advance A4 Unlocked Dual Sim Smartphone - $39.99
- LG B470 AT&T Prepaid Basic Flip Phone - $65.00
- Google Pixel 3a with 64GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked) - $399.99
Looking for a minimalist smartphone, kids? In my day we called that a flip phone, but now that the trend is coming back 'round, I guess they needed a new name for it. Alex Davidson calls his take the BoringPhone.
According to Davidson the BoringPhone is a mobile device "with all the useful things, but none of the distracting stuff." Hmmm, define "useful" and "distracting." The BoringPhone - which has the same basic slim-profile, full-touchscreen look of the Android and Apple InterestingPhones most of us currently use - comes with the following features:
- Calling
- Messaging via the Signal app
- Camera - 12MP + 5MP front-facing and 4K video recording.
- GPS/Nav via OsmAnd (incorporates OpenStreetMaps)
- Podcasts via AntennaPod
- Music
- Tethering/Hot Spot
Distractions the BoringPhone eliminates include:
- Web Browser
- Social Media
- App Store
In addition to serving people who are tired of getting sucked out of their lives and into the digital abyss, the BoringPhone could be a good choice for your kids. It has the basic features they need to stay in contact and find their way home from the bus stop, plus doesn't look like a lame-ass phone on the surface, but will keep them from getting in trouble / getting bullied / wasting time / wasting your money on the internet, social media, mobile games, and app stores.
Despite being a technological yawner the BoringPhone isn't particularly cheap - during its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign you can get one for around $230 to $335, depending on the package you select. The campaign runs through July 11, 2019.
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