Mobile Technology

Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

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A startup is aiming to free us from smartphone distractions with a minimalist handset rocking an E Ink screen and physical QWERTY keyboard
The Minimal Company
A startup is aiming to free us from smartphone distractions with a minimalist handset rocking an E Ink screen and physical QWERTY keyboard
The Minimal Company
The Minimal phone is expected to measure 120 x 72 x 10 mm, and will come with select third-party apps that are "essential for modern living"
The Minimal Company
An attractive union of e-reader and Android phone with Blackberry-like text input
The Minimal Company
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We've seen a number of handsets over the years that have been designed to cut down on over-stimulating distractions present on smartphones. The latest looks like a happy marriage between a Blackberry and e-reader, and goes by the name of Minimal.

Only very basic information has been shared on the startup's website so far, but founder and CEO of the Minimal Company Andre Youkhma recently took to Reddit to answer key queries.

The Minimal phone is going to be constructed using eco-friendly materials, though no specifics have been revealed as yet. It will boast a backlit monochrome E Ink display topped with a capacitive touchscreen, which will doubtless make it a per-charge warrior as well as being eye-friendly. In fact, the 4,000-mAh battery is reckoned good for four days of usage and there's support for rapid charging. Under this sits a full QWERTY keyboard for a "more satisfying and accurate typing experience."

An attractive union of e-reader and Android phone with Blackberry-like text input
The Minimal Company

It's being designed to run on an operating platform called the MnmlOS, which is based on "the latest version of Android" and should allow access to the Play Store for downloading third-party apps.

However, the point of the phone is to keep distractions to a minimum, so out of the box it will be able to call, text and email and will host a bunch of "select third-party apps essential for modern living, such as ride-sharing or navigation apps, without overwhelming the user." Things like calendar, notes and other productivity tools will be included too.

Entertainment will be kept simple as well, "focusing on relaxation and mindfulness." The handset will feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with 5G currently being explored, and be able to play music from YouTube (though E Ink refresh rates likely won't make video watching anything but frustrating) and from local storage via a headphone jack. There's expected to be support for Android Auto too, and contactless payments are in the works. A camera is being cooked in as well, though we'll have to wait for details.

The Minimal phone is expected to measure 120 x 72 x 10 mm, and will come with select third-party apps that are "essential for modern living"
The Minimal Company

On the privacy front, the startup's founder states that user data will only be collected for phone functionality, not for advertising purposes. He also promises frequent security updates, with support for the phone promised for at least five years (which presumably will include OS upgrades).

As of writing, all we have to look at are rather nice renders. Youkhma has confirmed that the design has been finalized, that it will come in at 120 x 72 x 10 mm (4.7 x 2.8 x 0.39 in), and that an unnamed "leading manufacturer" is currently looking into creating molds and such.

Like many project's before it, the Minimal phone will be making a production bid on a crowdfunding platform that's due to kick off from early February. The expected retail price is currently pitched in the region of US$400, but discounts will be offered to tempt in early adopters.

For now, those interesting in learning more can sign up to the waitlist via the source link. The video below has more.

Source: The Minimal Company

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6 comments
vince
I still prefer a slideout phone similar to the old sidekick but of course a lot larger for a 6 to 7 inch screen. Why isn't this being done? I hate touchscreens which I have thumbs the size of Andre the Giant and cannot regardless of keyboard design, push a single key without touching another simultaneously. So typing on them is crazy poor and I end up just waiting to get back to my PC with a full size keyboard. And no, I can't use voice as I'm hearing impaired. But options for us people is limited.
paul314
Can't really e-read on a screen the size of a small post-it note. Otherwise, I'm all in.
Jim B
If you want productivity on the go, these days you can get an Ultrabook/Macbook Air that weighs not much more than 1kg. Back in the heyday of Blackberry laptops weighed about 5kg each, and Wifi was nowhere and connecting to a phone was a pain. I owned a Blackberry Passport, and it was a bit of a disappointment. Although I did really like the ultra wide ultra sharp screen for consumption, although I like to read articles (like this one) on the go. Most people just want to look at Instagram/Tiktok on the go or listen to music. As Vince says there is probably a use case for a much wider screened phone with a slideout keyboard (although the Blackberry slider keyboards had useless key travel). But that is a niche market, and we all wind up with mass manufactured rectangles with rounded corners.
WONKY KLERKY
Me Spec.

Essential
ref Info' Stored:
Back compatible with Blackberry 'phone directories / address books held on SIMS.
ie. SIMS containing directory info' to be capable of being used.
Option to back-up same to cloud on request from user.
ref Cases:
As bombproof, incl waterproof as can be done.
+
Preferable
ref Cases:
'Site' florescent Orange and/or Yellow please in addition to std 'business black.

If above satisfied : My Order:
x1 Unit to start with please.
If they work as/proposed, I can quite see me-self making application for dealership.
c w
@Paul314

"happy marriage between a Blackberry and e-reader" likely refers more to the eInk display than use as an e-reader. One wonders how many people notice eInk displays being used as price tags in stores.

FutureWireless
BEWARE! There are many posts on The Minimal Company subreddit discussing the founder's dubious past and the misleading "prototype." This article should mention the risks of backing a project like this so people don't get scammed.