Smartphones

From self-service book bars to a building where robots fetch paperbacks stacked over nine floors, there's a reason Shenzhen is China's "city of libraries." It also has the highest number of wealthy entrepreneurs and leads the way in AI and tech.

Most modular phones are all about the swappable hardware or their repairability. But Brax's upcoming model takes a slightly different approach: it's going for maximum privacy.

From a return to "simple" smartphones to timers that hide notifications, there seems to be a market for ways to disengage from our digital devices. This physical key from the innovative company Autonomous AI is the first I have tried, and I was doubtful.

Apple just unveiled its first-ever foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. I'll skip over the big stuff you'll see all over the place about this model, like its form factor and processor – and get to a few less-discussed features you'll want to know about.

The Minimal Company's latest phone marks a major departure, while aiming to stay true to the vision of reducing your screen time. It's got a gorgeous physical QWERTY keyboard that you'll want to type on forever and ever.

A cross-sectional study based on a registry of fatal US motor vehicle crashes has found that Taylor Swift's albums may have even contributed a statistically significant bump in deadly traffic accidents, presumably by distracting drivers.

A few months ago, Chinese phone brand Honor teased one of the oddest concepts we've seen for a handset: it hid a folding robot arm attached to a camera. You can now buy one in China, and shoot Arri-grade footage with it.

We've covered a bunch of anti-distraction phones on here, and they largely focus on stripping down your device's functionality to the basics. The Sidephone, meanwhile, takes a modular approach to customizing the hardware to fit into your life.

Augmental’s new invention is more than just another experiment with computer mouse design. It is a tongue-controlled touchpad that gives people with limited mobility a new way to interact with computers and smart devices hands-free.

For its fourth product, anti-distraction device maker Light has gone with a retro flip-phone form factor. This physical design encourages you to be even more intentional with your screen time.

You can start 2026 like it's 1990 with GameSir's Pocket Taco, a cute compact controller that transforms your phone into a handheld gaming device. It's a bold design move, considering how litigious the original Game Boy maker Nintendo is known to be.

The makers of a smart Rubik's Cube-like puzzle have upped the ante with their game technology with a special edition Harry Potter-themed chess board, complete with character pieces. But can AI help you learn how to play? You might be surprised.