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

4 months ago by Rekall Incorporated to c/hardware

Linux-based phone still ‘runs 99% of Android apps’ so you can do more with it, if you wish.

Sanctus 50 points 4 months ago

500 fucken dollars tho. Call me stupid, but thats a lot when I can run down to Walmart and get a flip phone for like 20 bucks not even. I get it does more than that. Still seems crazy high.

save

path: 0 24286925, hotness: undefined, score: 50, children: 0

one_old_coder 30 points 4 months ago

A scam based on minimalist hype by the people who bought the Commodore brand. We've seen that a lot already.

save

path: 0 24287580, hotness: undefined, score: 30, children: 0

saltnotsugar 28 points 4 months ago

Nah man, not for that price.

save

path: 0 24287117, hotness: undefined, score: 28, children: 0

janus2 25 points 4 months ago

no social media, no browser

runs 99% of android apps

hmmm

save

path: 0 24287935, hotness: undefined, score: 25, children: 2

JohnEdwa 3 points 4 months ago

OS has hard blocks to stop the installation of browsers and social media apps. We guess it has some kind of app store blacklist, as the device FAQ confirms, “Users are still able to sideload apps outside those that are blocked, using APK installer files, but Callback is designed first and foremost as a calmer, more intentional phone.”

save

path: 0 24287935 24288893, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 1

MolochHorridus 5 points 4 months ago

Total nope for browsers from FAQ:

“Advanced users may also be able to sideload compatible APK installer files, except for social media apps and browsers.”

Very strange strategy, and extremely flimsy reasoning for it:

“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.”

Screen is 3,25” with 640x480 resolution. Good luck with social media pages. Web pages like Wikipedia would work at least adequately still.

save

path: 0 24287935 24288893 24289379, hotness: undefined, score: 5, children: 0

Valmond 12 points 4 months ago

$500 ?!!

Time to DIY (or Do It Myself) with my old commodore:

save

path: 0 24287833, hotness: undefined, score: 12, children: 0

AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor 10 points 4 months ago

$500 is too much for a dumb smartphone. I would get it for maybe 200-300 since I don't need social media apps and I can sideload a firefox fork apk, it does look enticing as a phone that looks really retro and wants to "disconnect" you from being permanently online, but for that price one would expect something more. Starting by, at least, 128gb of storage.

save

path: 0 24287749, hotness: undefined, score: 10, children: 1

Rekall_Incorporated 5 points 4 months ago

Even $300 is too much for a dumb smartphone.

They do include Dual SIM/SD, so storage is not an issue. Still too high of price.

save

path: 0 24287749 24287845, hotness: undefined, score: 5, children: 0

rizzothesmall 2 points 4 months ago

Nice AI slop image on the article.

Does it have a notification led strip or a camera at the foot of the case? Who knows? Is there an antenna? Only when it's open and viewed from the back apparently.

save

path: 0 24299924, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 1

Rekall_Incorporated 1 point 4 months ago

(Image credit: Commodore)

If you're refering to the header image.

save

path: 0 24299924 24320735, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0