By: Nick Gambino
Remember just a couple of years back when cell phone companies were in a race to see who could create the smallest phone? Luckily, most abandoned this trend before it got ridiculous. Sure we want a small phone but within reason. We still want to be able to see the thing and play around with cool apps that make use of a decently sized screen.
It seems the team over at Clubit New Media didn’t exactly get the memo. Probably because it appeared on the screen of a device too small to read. The company’s Zanco Tiny T1 currently sits as the smallest operational cell phone on the market. It closely resembles something your kid might find in their Christmas stocking.
“The creation of the Zanco Tiny T1 was motivated purely by the challenge of whether or not it was possible to create a phone so small,” Clubit New Media Operations Manager said when speaking with Digital Trends. “In the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum, ‘We spent so long figuring out if we could, we never stopped to ask if we should.’”
Jurassic Park quotes aside, the miniscule device is more of a novelty item than a phone people would seriously consider making a primary device. This is mainly due to its limited functionality.
There’s not much of a screen to speak of. In other words, you’re not going to be downloading or messing around with any apps. You can make and receive phone calls as well as send and receive text messages. That’s about it.
The Tiny T1 allows for the storage of up to 50 SMS texts and 300 phone numbers with a battery that’ll withstand three days of non-use or 180 minutes of talking.
Now the price tag on the mini phone is definitely a selling point. You can pick one up through their Kickstarter campaign for $50. That’s worth a chuckle from your friends or the ability to dole out a well-placed joke about how size doesn’t matter.
There’s no denying it’s easier to “lug” around if you don’t want to carry your smartphone but still need a communication device. It’s also a good solution if you want to stay in communication with your kid but don’t want to gift them an iPhone.
So far the Tiny T1 is still in the Kickstarter phase so we’ll see if it becomes popular. You never know. Hey I had no idea smartwatches would ever be a thing. Who saw that coming?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Gambino is a regular script writer and tech beat reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.
