This is exactly the kind of “feature phone” everyone has needed. Something that actually can function independently as an all-in-one. Many minimalistic feature phones lack vital capabilities that make it difficult to not have to rely on smartphones. The usefulness on top of having a *full* QWERTY keyboard? Perfection.
of course not. This shit is vaporware AT BEST, and [allegedly] a scam altogether. Notice they turned off comments on the IndieGoGo except for backers, and they haven't posted in the subreddit for almost a week. BUYER BEWARE!
The fact that they don't address this claim and show any real evidence of this device working led me to withdraw my contribution. I hope I'm wrong and this phone actually comes out, but at this point it all seems quite suspect.
A whole video and all the did was address comments that are basically "what's the specs". Zero actual proof that any progress is occurring. Zero keyboard use, recycled video. Still sounds dubious for anyone practising due diligence
I was backer #101 and I'd really love to see this project come to fruition. I'm surprised this video didn't include footage of someone actually using the device since that's been a not-infrequent question. I wonder how many folks are interested in the device but won't take the plunge without that demo video - and I can't say I blame them, either.
@@BooshyBrows That's fine, I understand it's not the final product, but given their timeline of shipping the product in August, I would expect something functioning if not totally finished.
I was hesitant to join the campaign, but this phone should fit all my needs. This is exactly the change I want to see in the industry, so I am all in on you guys! 😁
I know you're working hard to get us past the $250k mark but I want you all to know that I super believe in this project and what you all are doing. Of course there's huge resistance to being counter-cultural and designing something that's made to be human-centric. But as someone who is desperately practicing being present and fighting against the time sucking black hole that is my phone, the Minimal Phone is truly the thing I've been looking for. I hope you all don't feel discouraged... what you're doing is amazing and it's going to change lives. Keep it up!!
Looking forward to it! I love the concept and playing on my Blackberry Passport emotions - not to mention my E-Ink obsession! Just loving the implementation and passion from you guys! I have pledged my backing!
I hope you guys do release it in August. Looking forward to paying MSRP for it. Hopefully this will actually get released unlike that last blackberry disaster. Really want a phone in this form factor. Please please please make it happen
The phone sounds absolutely perfect honestly, after checking out dumb phones that are currently available. I'll be waiting for independent reviews before buying but I'm very excited to get this in my hands
I just bought a new BlackBerry Key2 bought sent it back after a week. Android 8.1 doesn't cutz it. So I am happy if this project can go live hopefully. I need exactly a phone like this without the distraction!
Many of these questions are asking things that should have been figured out by now. Where have the stages of product development gone?! Do they exist? Gives impression the team behind this are cowboys. Really makes me distrust buying this.
Hi, what's the expected battery life under heavy and light use? Im very interested in this phone and will deff buy one if the battery life is good. I hate charging my phone all the time.
Daammm I’m even more excited after this video!! Happy to be a backer! Keep up the great work! I was surprised with wireless charging and biometric… whaaaaa backlight keyboard. I vote dual sim/microsd. 🎉🎉🎉
Would you consider releasing a device with the same form factor & physical QWERTY Keyboard but with a colour display instead of the E-Ink one? As a former BB user I'd love for this to be the case. I miss having a PKB but I'm not sure if i could get used to having an E-Ink display on my daily device.
Hey, not sure if this helps you but Unihertz is a company that makes a lot of different phones with odd sizing/keyboards/etc. Their "Titan" has a QWERTY keyboard with slim/"pocket" options available as well. I used their Jelly 2 for a while (different use case: the Jelly is just tiny) and liked it a lot. Hope it helps!
This form factor reminds me of Blackberry Passport. Is the screen the same size or smaller than Blackberry Passport? Pity no eSim because for travelling abroad eSim is important. Even Pixel 6a has eSim.
I learned about your company's Minimal Phone and I appreciate it very much. I am from Dongguan, the manufacturing city of China. We specialize in providing casings and frames for smart products. We have rich experience in the production and processing of mobile phones, laptops, E-book Readers, E-ink Readers, and Tablet frames, Chassis, covers, or Unibody case. I am very confident that we can provide good customized shell hardware services for Minimal Phone. Could you pls give me the contact information of your colleague in charge of purchasing? Looking forward to your cooperation!
I’d probably back this if you released a video of actually using the prototype and showing it’s really android and just not some static image or animation
Great video! I'm a little confused by the Android Auto question though. Is the Wifi/Bluetooth on the phone not able to push enough information for wireless Android Auto to work? I thought that barrier is normally a limitation of the vehicle that would be overcome by a wireless adapter like the Motorola MA1?
Could we get additional physical buttons? Like one that will turn the torch on/off? That way we don't have to unlock or fiddle with the phone to use it quickly. There is a VERY convenient and under utilised feature on most phones. There could be buttons used for other things as well, which stops you from NEEDING to unlock your phone. Which would make the phone even more minimal. :)
I know it's still pretty early in development, but what's your estimate and goal for a release date with this thing? What's the normal turnaround time for phones at this stage of development?
It could be good as a second phone , to fast answer messages due to the physical keyboard . But this keyboard need to be superb, as good as the blackberry classic one.
yeah someone was mentioning this on the indegogo page too. I like practicing multiple languages and it would be somewhat disappointing if there weren’t options for multiple language input.
they have confirmed that google maps and spotify will work. They recommend against “video or performance heavy” apps which I think makes sense with the 90ms refresh rate.
From experience I ask you to please reconsider the fingerprint reader being built-in to the power button. That sucks, you constantly accidentally unlock your phone. The best spot for a fingerprint reader is on the backside of the phone, then it can also be used for gesture controls (like swipe down on the sensor to open the notifications). I have had phones with fingerprint readers on the back and phones with it in the power button. The back is 4000x times better!
Will the camera be at least as good as the BlackBerry PRIV Camera? For those who don't know, that was the best BlackBerry camera ever. Or how good will it be compared to other phones? Which camera sensor will be used?
Thank you very much for your prompt reply, so I choose to support you,I'm looking forward to my minimal phone. In addition, can you show a complete video of the operation of the phone? You can state that this is an imperfect prototype, but having a complete operating process will make the entire project more credible.This will provide potential buyers with great confidence.@@MinimalCompany
E-ink isn't even grayscale, it's purely black and white. Grey can only be emulated by dots, and at the resolution they are talking about, any sort of images on this thing are going to look just as horrible as they do on a Kindle.
I'm here :)
Show me a working prototype and I order immediately.
This is exactly the kind of “feature phone” everyone has needed. Something that actually can function independently as an all-in-one. Many minimalistic feature phones lack vital capabilities that make it difficult to not have to rely on smartphones. The usefulness on top of having a *full* QWERTY keyboard? Perfection.
I literally searched for exactly this form factor (candy bar, qwerty, android, e ink) a year ago and couldn't find it. I'm stoked this is coming
will you have a video going through the phone in more depth to dispel the rumors that it is currently just a screen share device as a protoype?
of course not. This shit is vaporware AT BEST, and [allegedly] a scam altogether.
Notice they turned off comments on the IndieGoGo except for backers, and they haven't posted in the subreddit for almost a week.
BUYER BEWARE!
The fact that they don't address this claim and show any real evidence of this device working led me to withdraw my contribution.
I hope I'm wrong and this phone actually comes out, but at this point it all seems quite suspect.
@@l_Locke_l I am in the same boat as you. withdrew contribution because of this as well.
A whole video and all the did was address comments that are basically "what's the specs". Zero actual proof that any progress is occurring.
Zero keyboard use, recycled video.
Still sounds dubious for anyone practising due diligence
Cowboys...all seems to made up on the spot to be trust worthy. You'd be a fool to pre order...!
I was backer #101 and I'd really love to see this project come to fruition. I'm surprised this video didn't include footage of someone actually using the device since that's been a not-infrequent question. I wonder how many folks are interested in the device but won't take the plunge without that demo video - and I can't say I blame them, either.
🙋
The device doesn't exist yet, just this "prototype" which is very different from the final thing
@@BooshyBrows That's fine, I understand it's not the final product, but given their timeline of shipping the product in August, I would expect something functioning if not totally finished.
Show me a working model in the hands of a non-employee and I'm in immediately. Until then, no chance.
Longtime Bb user keyboard and simple security. Now Unihertz, Titan Pocket. Looking forward to this, many ways. Keep going!
I was hesitant to join the campaign, but this phone should fit all my needs.
This is exactly the change I want to see in the industry, so I am all in on you guys! 😁
Wow! Can't wait to see this company grow
I know you're working hard to get us past the $250k mark but I want you all to know that I super believe in this project and what you all are doing. Of course there's huge resistance to being counter-cultural and designing something that's made to be human-centric. But as someone who is desperately practicing being present and fighting against the time sucking black hole that is my phone, the Minimal Phone is truly the thing I've been looking for. I hope you all don't feel discouraged... what you're doing is amazing and it's going to change lives. Keep it up!!
backed you guys today. I can't wait until you guys start production!
Looking forward to it! I love the concept and playing on my Blackberry Passport emotions - not to mention my E-Ink obsession! Just loving the implementation and passion from you guys! I have pledged my backing!
I hope you guys do release it in August. Looking forward to paying MSRP for it. Hopefully this will actually get released unlike that last blackberry disaster. Really want a phone in this form factor. Please please please make it happen
Lets try making that screen size as wide as possible
The phone sounds absolutely perfect honestly, after checking out dumb phones that are currently available. I'll be waiting for independent reviews before buying but I'm very excited to get this in my hands
I just bought a new BlackBerry Key2 bought sent it back after a week. Android 8.1 doesn't cutz it. So I am happy if this project can go live hopefully. I need exactly a phone like this without the distraction!
Thanks for the answers!
Will I be able to utilize the USB C port to output video into an external monitor for when that is needed?
will it have any repairability for example battery replacement?
Many of these questions are asking things that should have been figured out by now. Where have the stages of product development gone?! Do they exist? Gives impression the team behind this are cowboys. Really makes me distrust buying this.
Me too I don't think I want to buy now
I will wait for the product to be available on amazon.
Hi, what's the expected battery life under heavy and light use? Im very interested in this phone and will deff buy one if the battery life is good. I hate charging my phone all the time.
Will it be available in the UK please?
Daammm I’m even more excited after this video!! Happy to be a backer! Keep up the great work! I was surprised with wireless charging and biometric… whaaaaa backlight keyboard. I vote dual sim/microsd. 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for the support!
Dual sim/micro SD all the way!
this phone actually hits so many boxes for me!
Will there be a button or method to scroll, say reading an email or article, without having to swipe on the touchscreen?
Literally dream phone please make it happen soon im sick of my phone
Would you consider releasing a device with the same form factor & physical QWERTY Keyboard but with a colour display instead of the E-Ink one?
As a former BB user I'd love for this to be the case. I miss having a PKB but I'm not sure if i could get used to having an E-Ink display on my daily device.
Hey, not sure if this helps you but Unihertz is a company that makes a lot of different phones with odd sizing/keyboards/etc. Their "Titan" has a QWERTY keyboard with slim/"pocket" options available as well. I used their Jelly 2 for a while (different use case: the Jelly is just tiny) and liked it a lot. Hope it helps!
Are there any screen option for OLED or modern screen? Thanks
This form factor reminds me of Blackberry Passport. Is the screen the same size or smaller than Blackberry Passport? Pity no eSim because for travelling abroad eSim is important.
Even Pixel 6a has eSim.
I learned about your company's Minimal Phone and I appreciate it very much.
I am from Dongguan, the manufacturing city of China.
We specialize in providing casings and frames for smart products.
We have rich experience in the production and processing of mobile phones, laptops, E-book Readers, E-ink Readers, and Tablet frames, Chassis, covers, or Unibody case.
I am very confident that we can provide good customized shell hardware services for Minimal Phone.
Could you pls give me the contact information of your colleague in charge of purchasing? Looking forward to your cooperation!
Will it be able to be used as a hotspot?
so excited 🎉. I wonder how well chatgpt or copilot works on it?
Dope, is it possible to have a QWERTZ keyboard on the minimal phone ?
Will a future iteration have a color eInk display?
Will it be available in India?
I’d probably back this if you released a video of actually using the prototype and showing it’s really android and just not some static image or animation
Red flags. Makes it not trustworthy!
Is there no video demonstrating the response time from typing?
Would I be able to pair my garmin watch through the connect app?
i want to know this as well
I want to support this, but I can't until I get some information on which U.S. carriers will support the phone.
I Hope i Can buy this phone one day thank you for that 🙏🏽💪🏽❤️
Great video! I'm a little confused by the Android Auto question though. Is the Wifi/Bluetooth on the phone not able to push enough information for wireless Android Auto to work? I thought that barrier is normally a limitation of the vehicle that would be overcome by a wireless adapter like the Motorola MA1?
We're working on it. It will most likely be wireless. However we just want to set the correct expectations.
Could we get additional physical buttons?
Like one that will turn the torch on/off? That way we don't have to unlock or fiddle with the phone to use it quickly.
There is a VERY convenient and under utilised feature on most phones.
There could be buttons used for other things as well, which stops you from NEEDING to unlock your phone. Which would make the phone even more minimal. :)
Hoping the FN key/chords can do this.
Will the 3d printed layers be present in the final product? Lord, I hope not.
I know it's still pretty early in development, but what's your estimate and goal for a release date with this thing? What's the normal turnaround time for phones at this stage of development?
According to indiegogo they're expecting to start shipping to backers in August
It could be good as a second phone , to fast answer messages due to the physical keyboard . But this keyboard need to be superb, as good as the blackberry classic one.
Will it support Bluetooth?
Could it support other languages expect English? Like traditional Chinese
yeah someone was mentioning this on the indegogo page too. I like practicing multiple languages and it would be somewhat disappointing if there weren’t options for multiple language input.
This Will work on Latin America? It's unlocked? Thanks
I'm just imagining a "minimal hat" vs a Minimal "hat" akin to a yamaka now 😆
Will the minimal phone support things like google maps/spotify?
they have confirmed that google maps and spotify will work. They recommend against “video or performance heavy” apps which I think makes sense with the 90ms refresh rate.
Bro, run GPS on e-ink screen? Serious ?
😂😂😂😂😂
@@TheChineizyeah it'll look like shit 💯
Will it have variable screen refresh options like Boox/Bigme offer in their readers?
Does the phone have NFC for contactless payments?
Yes, The Minimal Phone supports NFC for contactless payments.
Do you have any idea if this phone will work in Canada?
Yes, it will work in North America, Asia, and Europe.
I heard Elon Musk is eyeing your project! Loved his tweet! Maybe he throw the 200K in for you guys! Make it viral!
Thanks 4 free hat
can it work in europe....in Portugal?
Yes, it will work in North America, Asia, and Europe.
From experience I ask you to please reconsider the fingerprint reader being built-in to the power button. That sucks, you constantly accidentally unlock your phone. The best spot for a fingerprint reader is on the backside of the phone, then it can also be used for gesture controls (like swipe down on the sensor to open the notifications).
I have had phones with fingerprint readers on the back and phones with it in the power button. The back is 4000x times better!
Minimal phone work in korea?
they say it will work in north america, asia, and europe
How do you get an IP rating on a mockup? I think you mean you’re aiming for an IP 57
Based on our form factor and our manufacturer's guidance, the production version of The Minimal Phone will have an IP 57 rating.
Wireless hotspot?
Yes, The Minimal Phone will support mobile hotspot.
Would buy if a flip phone with keyboard.
Add a good camera and I’ll get it 😂
Will the phone be waterproof?
Water resistant, yes. Waterproof no.
Dual sim please!
5 months from "estimated shipping" and yet you are "exploring" critical designs like microsd placement?
I agree. They seem like amateurs. I'd be worried if I have paid 1 dollar, nevermind 399 dollars.
Will the camera be at least as good as the BlackBerry PRIV Camera? For those who don't know, that was the best BlackBerry camera ever. Or how good will it be compared to other phones? Which camera sensor will be used?
Minimal Phone work global? (Philippines)
The Minimal Phone will work in North America, Asia, and Europe.
can I root it?
Yes, you can.
Thank you very much for your prompt reply, so I choose to support you,I'm looking forward to my minimal phone.
In addition, can you show a complete video of the operation of the phone? You can state that this is an imperfect prototype, but having a complete operating process will make the entire project more credible.This will provide potential buyers with great confidence.@@MinimalCompany
Love it !
I would have probably back the project with an AZERTY keyboard.
Nevertheless I am also bald, and the HAT idea is just superb !
I want one !
Give more updates
will it work with AT&T?
Yes, it will work with ATT&T.
So the screen acts the way a Kindle does or will the screen also be able to operate on a color spectrum rather than a grayscale???
E-ink isn't even grayscale, it's purely black and white. Grey can only be emulated by dots, and at the resolution they are talking about, any sort of images on this thing are going to look just as horrible as they do on a Kindle.
is this guy wearing a pebble?
No, I'm not. I did however back their campaign back in the day and still have my pebble.
What I wear on a daily basis is a whoop.
- Andre Youkhna
Why no wireless android Auto? I need that :D
We're working on it. Might have to stay wired might not. However we just want to set the correct expectations.
@@MinimalCompany What exacly ist the isuse?
What does the browser experience look like? Are there parental controls?
Please consider disabling the flashing effect. That is not minimal, thus redundant.
Come on everybody! Let's share this channel and the indiegogo page.