lemmy - Link to source

Commodore announces Linux-based flip phone with ‘no social media, no browser’ — the Callback 8020 will be available in five retro colorways starting at $499, runs 99% of Android apps
Linux-based phone still ‘runs 99% of Android apps’ so you can do more with it, if you wish

commodore-announces-linux-based-flip-phone-with-no-social-media-no-browser-the-callback-8020-will-be-available-in-five-retro-colorways-starting-at-usd499-runs-99-percent-of-android-apps

www.tomshardware.com
#Linux
in reply to cm0002
piefed - Link to source

MolochHorridus

Shipping with WhatsApp but blocking browser installs even by APK, what the hell?

From the FAQ:

“Callback allows any Android APK to be sideloaded, except for social media and browsers which are proven to have negative mental health effects.”

“WhatsApp comes preinstalled.”

in reply to MolochHorridus
piefed - Link to source

MolochHorridus

Their reasoning for this is even flimsier:

“Because the browser is the back door. Most social media, feeds, video sites, news spirals, and endless searches are still available through the web. Blocking only the apps would leave the main temptation intact.”

Imagine using social media apps on 3,25” 640x480 screen. Now imagine using simple text heavy web pages, like Wikipedia on that screen. One is possible, even useful the other pure bullshit.

in reply to MolochHorridus
lemmy - Link to source

Rooster326

Isn't it more because WhatsApp is the de facto messaging app in many countries around the world. SMS is still charged per message and so everything became data

Telling someone you only have to SMS would be like telling someone you only communicate via semafore. They just won't contact you....

Esta entrada fue editada (martes, 16 de junio de 2026, 21:37)
in reply to laranis
piefed - Link to source

AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor

They can't be installed from the app store, but you can sideload the apk to install them.

Who is this for? Me. If it didn't cost $500, I'd get it. I don't have any social apps and I have a work phone (that I leave in the office when my shift ends). I would simply install a firefox fork apk and be done with it. No socials (aside lemmy), and no need for work apps. This phone would be for me if the price were something in the 200-300 area.

in reply to AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor
lemmy - Link to source

noodles

Sounds like you want the sidephone then maybe. I think this is a cool idea but there's like 8 other implementations for hundreds left. Unless the main draw is Linux, but if it's pushing to run android apps then why not stick with degoogled android like all the others?
in reply to noodles
piefed - Link to source

AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor

I have a pixel with grapheneOS. I'm already degoogled, but this one looks like a cool nostalgia gadget that would be cool to have for a less outrageous price. I like the design and the idea (and the linux part), but I don't think $500 is the price they should be asking.
in reply to laranis
lemmy - Link to source

Alk

Yeah, I get wanting it to be for disconnecting from social media and doomscroll but to actually block the apps? What if someone changes their mind and legitimately needs to access if for some reason? Buy a new phone? No way. My phone is a tool and I should be able to use it how I want. This is no different than Google blocking 3rd party apps. Let me run what I want on my own phone.
in reply to CerebralHawks
lemmy - Link to source

plutopos

That's also the main selling point of the phone. In many European and South American countries, Whatsapp is basically a necessity (I'm not exaggerating). Anywhere else you can just get a real dumbphone for a tenth of the price
Esta entrada fue editada (miércoles, 17 de junio de 2026, 11:05)