Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids • Hacker News Board

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#21

Post by JKCalhoun » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:02 PM UTC

bigyabai wrote: post #8

Neat, but is this one of those things that becomes plastic e-waste the moment you stop supporting the service connecting it?

Someone should open source something similar.

Why is everyone looking at me? I'm busy obsessing over how to bring BBS's back.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#22

Post by derwiki » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:02 PM UTC

sugarpimpdorsey wrote: post #17

Is this just an ad for a VoIP service? Your residential internet provider will probably already sell you VoIP that you can plug a real phone into. Put that old hamburger phone to good use.

I wouldn’t call it an ad because I’m unaffiliated. I thought it was a neat techie gadget that other HN readers might enjoy.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#23

Post by lukas099 » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:02 PM UTC

Man, I like this idea but I also really love this website.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#24

Post by bja » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

This just seems like another VOIP service wrapped in nostalgia. There are MANY cheaper and better options. I say this because I recently added a VOIP line for exactly this reason to give my kids a way to call their friends without a smart phone.

Here are many good options https://www.ooma.com/blog/home-phone/best-voip-service-for-h...

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#25

Post by davideg » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

This is a really good point, though E911 probably costs the provider something. I wonder if they could offer 911 support at actual cost ($1-2/month).

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#26

Post by S04dKHzrKT » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

Make note of the privacy policy[1]. Some users may not like the data they collect.

> Information Collected from Children: As detailed in Section 3.C, we collect voice audio during calls, call log information, and utilize the Parent-provided contact list in relation to the Child's use of the Tin Can Device. We may also collect device identifiers and technical usage data related to the Service.

[1]: https://tincan.kids/policies/privacy-policy

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#27

Post by ars » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

floren wrote: post #11

bigyabai wrote: post #8

Neat, but is this one of those things that becomes plastic e-waste the moment you stop supporting the service connecting it?

Of course! "†Lifetime calling subject to continued availability of our services , a valid account, and our terms of service." Unless they open it up enough that you can change the VOIP server it uses.

Agreed, I would be much more likely to buy this if I had some kind of assurance it would not stop working.

Maybe instead of a flat $75, charge $5/month for the first 15 months.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#28

Post by neilv » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:05 PM UTC

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

Yeah, that jumped out at me. If you're doing something that looks like a phone, just do 911, always, even if you're losing money by doing that.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#29

Post by turnsout » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:05 PM UTC

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

It's not arbitrary—if you look at your cellphone bill, there's a tax for 911 access. They could probably offer a cheaper plan with just 911, but they can't make it free. But I think $9.99 is fair all things considered.

I'm not sure I see the safety issue. My 7 year-old currently doesn't have the ability to dial 911 without an adult's cellphone. If I give them a Tin Can that has no 911, they are no more or less safe than they were before.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#30

Post by turnsout » Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 10:06 PM UTC

ars wrote: post #18

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

Is it possible to call 911 from a phone that doesn't have an incoming phone number assigned?

Yes, because you can pull the SIM card out of a cellphone and dial 911.