Commodore Callback

[synaesthesia]

This is an interesting idea.

 

https://commodore.net/callback/

 

On the face of it, it's something most of us could easily put down to a mis-timed April Fool. 

But a bridge between smart and dumb phone, no social media distractions, but still fully capable regarding apps and ability - especially with the recent news re social media, this could be one of the most impeccably timed random ideas ever.

Nostalgia aside of course, a device that still allows full communication, GPS tracking and relevant safety apps, de-googled, de-social mediad, that ticks a LOT of boxes especially for those parents that couldn't possibly imagine their little darling not being reachable in the middle of his year 7 maths lesson because they can't find the packet of cigarettes they sent them to the shop for before school.

Only real downside is that I can see, the price. $500 seems very OTT for what it is. If they can hit £100, come this time next year that's something that could fly off the shelves.

Or is someone going to take notice and think they'll try and do the same at that price tag?

 

[machy]

They are going struggle when you can get a full fat smartphone for £80 (HONOR X5c)

[Danp]

Looks good.

 

I've got to the stage where I would be happy with a dumb phone that also had WhatsApp as that is what I use the most.

[synaesthesia]

12 minutes ago, machy said:

They are going struggle when you can get a full fat smartphone for £80 (HONOR X5c)

Exactly. I mean, it's highly unlikely they'll stay "low fat" forever as someone will make it run Doom/Quake/Cyberpunk 2077 within a week of release, but in the context of this thread, that full fat smartphone is a bigger problem.

Personally as a parent, I'd happily shove one of my old feature phones into the kids' hands and they'd have to like it or lump it, but too many are a bit protective these days

 

That all being said, I fully agree that in the wider scheme they will struggle. Retro-factor isn't worth that amount of money, period.