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The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

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Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#42

My biggest problem with dumb phones and similar concepts like this digital detox phone is the comparitively crappy cameras. I don't take photos often, but when I do I want them to be good.

They say that it has a 48MP camera so that shouldn't be a problem. I think I saw them comparing it to the iphone's camera even. Remains to be seen of course.

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#43
post #7

Folks have a hard time reclaiming their attention from the never ending distractions of a smart phone. If commodore can make a device and ecosystem to make that happen, I’m sure folks will spend the money. The reality though is, most folks don’t even think how much time they spend on phones, so I hope they can become profitable with devices sold in the thousands.

I just parental lock my wife’s phone and she parental locks mine. This has worked for us for nearly a decade now. Solutions that actually work often sound weird (because otherwise it wouldn’t be a problem in the first place), but yeah “ask my wife” and vice versa keeps us from installing Facebook and other apps that are rabbit holes while making it easy to remedy if I actually need it. To be clear, this is totally voluntary and we both choose our own blocks then say “hey add a password” or “hey I need to adjust, punch in the password”. I see it as similar to having a bank teller vs the ATM. Easy peasy and that little bit of friction has made our quality of life better.

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#44

The phone may not be dumb (we'll see) but the idea for new Commodore to release one is. Sorry to be so blunt.

I bought one of their C64 repros, it was exactly what I want, I was searching ebay for original Apple ][e at the time anyway.

Why? It's going to be my kids first computer.

Computers today are so absolutely hostile as they are simply attention-sucking sale-terminals. They spend all their time popping up unwanted notifications which are just advertising.

And the interface of modern devices is actually horrible for learning. Some stuff may be intuitive, but the biggest issue is that every slight movement, accidental tap or gesture is linked to something so for kids it's too easy to do something that exits the current program or bring up some sidebar. It's impossible even for me to connect "what did I just do?" with the sudden change in context. It makes it really hard to connect cause and effect. And don't even get me started on how dangerous apps like YouTube are for kids. The recommendation algo seems to surface click-farm scam content in no time. Or weird dopamine traps.

So my kids will start with a device that isn't constantly trying to sell things, they will learn to understand simple systems which has deterministic behavior.

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#47
This is a pocket Linux terminal with loads of untapped potential out of the box. Combining voice navigation with an ssh linked home AI server may make this a true privacy-first successor to the prying smartphone for the AI era. And there is the audio quality, with a battery that lasts a week. The Bluetooth tethering has a standby feature so any non-cellular wifi device you carry is effectively always connected as well. It won't drop like most smartphones. There is way more utility in this combo than the brick in your pocket we have to contend with now. I hope Commodore can see past the detox only and see what they have really created here. Meanwhile hackers can have a field day!!

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#48
post #42

My biggest problem with dumb phones and similar concepts like this digital detox phone is the comparitively crappy cameras. I don't take photos often, but when I do I want them to be good.

They say that it has a 48MP camera so that shouldn't be a problem. I think I saw them comparing it to the iphone's camera even. Remains to be seen of course.

The reason the iPhone takes great photos is probably 95% because of the software. It’s 0% because of the number of pixels, and never was even since their early models.

I think the kind of user who gets a detox phone will also get an Instax or a second hand old Ixus.

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#49
post #43
post #7

Folks have a hard time reclaiming their attention from the never ending distractions of a smart phone. If commodore can make a device and ecosystem to make that happen, I’m sure folks will spend the money. The reality though is, most folks don’t even think how much time they spend on phones, so I hope they can become profitable with devices sold in the thousands.

I just parental lock my wife’s phone and she parental locks mine. This has worked for us for nearly a decade now. Solutions that actually work often sound weird (because otherwise it wouldn’t be a problem in the first place), but yeah “ask my wife” and vice versa keeps us from installing Facebook and other apps that are rabbit holes while making it easy to remedy if I actually need it. To be clear, this is totally vo…

In case you don't want to bother your spouse (or don't have one) you can use lockmeout.online as a simple online time lock service to hold numeric codes.

Re: The Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone

#50

I'm interested in the form factor and excited about the inclusion of a headphone jack but SailfishOS is the real selling point for me. I'll buy this if there is a way to remove the app restrictions they have. Ideally, I should be able to flash the default SailfishOS

That’s the whole selling point of this phone, though. If they had made it easy to sideload Twitter, they might as well not make a phone.
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