"Many of you told us you wanted a more accessible entry point"

Announced a short time ago, the Callback 8020 is seen as a means of combating the addictive lure of the modern-day smartphone. While it supports Android apps via its SailfishOS, it disables features like web browsing and social media by default.

However, despite the noble quest for a ‘digital detox’, the phone met with a somewhat frosty reception online (no pun intended), with many comparing it to an elderly relative’s flip phone. In our poll, 70 percent of you said you wouldn’t be buying one.

  • zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    6·
    2 days ago

    Except for the “A browser on rare occasions”, which sadly is likely the only thing stopping me from buying this at the new far more palatable price. I don’t need to be treated like a baby, but apparently this is considered a core feature of the phone and they won’t back down from it.

    • Crozekiel@piefed.zipEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      I 100% agree with this. This is SO CLOSE to getting it and offering a phone I actually want. But I want to own my devices and decide what I do on them. The thing hard locking me out of a browser (and discord) is unfortunately a deal breaker. I don’t want the hardware mfr to have a say in how I use the device and treat me like a literal child in the process. It’s disappointing.

      • Xerxos@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        I was also thinking about buying it, but I want my phone to be my phone.

        I actually use my browser from time to time. What is the use of a phone if you need a “backup phone” just to look something up?

        Also, their reasoning for blocking the browser is absurd: “you could use the browser to access social media.” I don’t use TikTok, Instagram, X, or the like, so why do I need to be nannied?

        • Crozekiel@piefed.zipEnglish
          2·
          18 hours ago

          Exactly. I can understand them not installing a browser by default as part of their “principled stance against social media”, but blocking the install entirely is WILD. I also do wonder how they actually do that though… Just a list of “known browsers” and blocking their install? It’s Linux - what if we fork a browser and rename it “totally not firefox”, would it even catch it?