Watch now | In an era dominated by smartphones and social media, a counterintuitive idea has been percolating in my mind: the potential resurgence of the "dumb phone." This weekend, I found myself sketching out a concept for such a device, envisioning a future where simplicity might become the ultimate luxury.
I've had this problem too (in addition to lack of Whatsapp). I've found, there's a workaround if you use Pixel Watch or some Galaxy Watch, you can use the Samsung browser to call an Uber and also pay for parking spots using the homepage of the parking apps. Ideally you save them as a bookmark.
I've also been using the CAT S22 as a smart feature phone alternative, it basically does all the key features you describe here, I use voice to text for texting since it runs Android 11, while at the same time the phone is too much of a hassle to use any apps.
I think you have to turn off Wrist Detection for this to work which means unlocking your Watch every time you want to use it. Last I tried, turning off WD disabled a bunch of other features you'd probably want (need?) enabled.
I would love to follow along with that. It sounds similar to what you did with the Oak meditation app back in the day, and I enjoyed following that process.
The only feature I would challenge is the friend health bar. It feels a little gamified and kind of at odds with the philosophy of the phone. The rest looks pretty cool.
Did you also get a sense of how expensive an individual phone would cost assuming you invested the $50-60 million?
Thanks for sharing. Always love a peek behind the scenes!
My concern with these minimal phones is that they seem aspirational ("I want to use my phone less!"), but they often fail to address the root issue: our preference for social media over real-world activities. Many similar products have succeeded on Kickstarter but rarely achieve long-term success.
How do you effectively test a product that becomes an intimate part of daily life? Building the tech is one thing; determining if people truly want it (beyond initial enthusiasm or pre-orders) is another.
Have you tried using parental controls to limit social media on your current phone or experimented with dumb phones for an extended period?
+1 as long as one is dependent on self-control, eventually at some point one will get pulled in again. It's about removing the option to be sucked in all together
You think this will ever change? Most of web2 was built out on an ad centric model that caused all the companies to optimize for max screen time per user.
Is there another model? You think user’s would pay to have a less addictive experience?
I love the idea of this one👊 And I do think it's essential to limit the number of apps, especially social media and news.
But I would like some customization. Mobile payment, like Venmo, is essential for me. Uber is not available in my location, but I do need the local bus app.
So what if you could install a very limited number of apps of your own choice? Most people use their phone slightly different I guess!?
Cool idea! Agreed on the market trend and business opportunity here. But I could see how (apple) watches capture this use case over a few iterations and careful positioning in the next years. Thoughts?
Ah just saw the tinypod comment seems like others are thinking that way as well. I do like not having it visible though unlike a watch, less urge to check it and allows you to be more in the moment.
This is a great idea. I think AI assistants change the game for the primary mode of interaction from GUI to Voice (then who knows, nuerolink?) which makes it very natural to shrink the device.
Only thing is, at this point, it’s starting to look a lot like a smart watch. Do you think this could go on your wrist? What if a smart watch has a tilt screen so you could interact with it at more comfortable angles?
I think everyone in my family would buy one of these. Plus it's perfect for kids. I think you may have underestimated potential market. Happy to make an introduction to some of my contacts in the mobile phone world if that's helpful.
Checkout the TinyPod: https://thetinypod.com/
Similar idea to yours but using an apple watch :)
Damn, sadly Apple Watch doesn't call a Uber or Lyft :(
I've had this problem too (in addition to lack of Whatsapp). I've found, there's a workaround if you use Pixel Watch or some Galaxy Watch, you can use the Samsung browser to call an Uber and also pay for parking spots using the homepage of the parking apps. Ideally you save them as a bookmark.
I've also been using the CAT S22 as a smart feature phone alternative, it basically does all the key features you describe here, I use voice to text for texting since it runs Android 11, while at the same time the phone is too much of a hassle to use any apps.
This is amazing, I wonder who is behind it.
I think you have to turn off Wrist Detection for this to work which means unlocking your Watch every time you want to use it. Last I tried, turning off WD disabled a bunch of other features you'd probably want (need?) enabled.
This is amazing.
I got hooked on the headphone idea! Somehow that sold me on the idea of “minimalistic”. Imagine i carry everywhere my airpod case + the phone :).
It would be awesome to see how an idea like this goes from idea to pitch. You're probably already familiar with the Light Phone and here's a new one that popped up. https://liliputing.com/lofone-is-a-distraction-free-phone-with-an-e-ink-kaleido-3-color-display-and-just-a-few-simple-apps/ No idea how either makes money?
Love the headphones 😎
I would love to follow along with that. It sounds similar to what you did with the Oak meditation app back in the day, and I enjoyed following that process.
The only feature I would challenge is the friend health bar. It feels a little gamified and kind of at odds with the philosophy of the phone. The rest looks pretty cool.
Did you also get a sense of how expensive an individual phone would cost assuming you invested the $50-60 million?
All depends on demand, fixed costs are 40'ish for development, tooling, certifications etc., then per device price drops with scale.
Sold! Love everything about this.
Thanks for sharing. Always love a peek behind the scenes!
My concern with these minimal phones is that they seem aspirational ("I want to use my phone less!"), but they often fail to address the root issue: our preference for social media over real-world activities. Many similar products have succeeded on Kickstarter but rarely achieve long-term success.
How do you effectively test a product that becomes an intimate part of daily life? Building the tech is one thing; determining if people truly want it (beyond initial enthusiasm or pre-orders) is another.
Have you tried using parental controls to limit social media on your current phone or experimented with dumb phones for an extended period?
Is the real issue here self control? I've never sat using my desktop or laptop and wanted less functionality.
Yet I've been out with friends and family and been frustrated with them using their phones.
It's a great point, it totally is. But by design these algorithms suck us back in, it's all very addictive.
+1 as long as one is dependent on self-control, eventually at some point one will get pulled in again. It's about removing the option to be sucked in all together
You think this will ever change? Most of web2 was built out on an ad centric model that caused all the companies to optimize for max screen time per user.
Is there another model? You think user’s would pay to have a less addictive experience?
For what it’s worth I also love this idea as a product! This topic has come up in conversation a number of times lately with people I know.
Case study on this example would be great!
I love the idea of this one👊 And I do think it's essential to limit the number of apps, especially social media and news.
But I would like some customization. Mobile payment, like Venmo, is essential for me. Uber is not available in my location, but I do need the local bus app.
So what if you could install a very limited number of apps of your own choice? Most people use their phone slightly different I guess!?
I've been thinking the same thing, I'd love a well designed Dumb Phone! The current ones on the market are too slo
Cool idea! Agreed on the market trend and business opportunity here. But I could see how (apple) watches capture this use case over a few iterations and careful positioning in the next years. Thoughts?
This is SO cool…I would be so down
Ah just saw the tinypod comment seems like others are thinking that way as well. I do like not having it visible though unlike a watch, less urge to check it and allows you to be more in the moment.
This is a great idea. I think AI assistants change the game for the primary mode of interaction from GUI to Voice (then who knows, nuerolink?) which makes it very natural to shrink the device.
Only thing is, at this point, it’s starting to look a lot like a smart watch. Do you think this could go on your wrist? What if a smart watch has a tilt screen so you could interact with it at more comfortable angles?
I think everyone in my family would buy one of these. Plus it's perfect for kids. I think you may have underestimated potential market. Happy to make an introduction to some of my contacts in the mobile phone world if that's helpful.