#flipphone — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #flipphone, aggregated by home.social.
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My new phone arrived on Saturday, and I've been playing with it so that I can give at least a somewhat knowledgeable review. For a bit of background, try these posts.
https://someplace.social/@dandylover1/117016570097287465
https://someplace.social/@dandylover1/117080735346981626
Note that I have not tried Calculator, E-mail, Browser, Messages, or usb tethering and hotspot. I know that it will speak inside of the message edit box, but I haven't sent a message, since it seems I need to add a contact first. The only ones i would really use of those are Calculator and hotspot/tethering, anyway. I shall divide this into pros, cons, and overall opinion.
Pros
*It has real buttons. This was my main purpose in buying this phone. I was sick of touchscreens. The navigation pad isn't really tactile in the sense of having separate buttons as my Kyocera Rally did, but it's fairly easy to figure out, since it's just a circle with only four options.
* Yes, it has a screen reader. It's called Readout. Tello does not include the user manual in the box and directs users to the official one by TCL. For some inexplicable reason, while they mention other accessibility features such as hearing aid compatibility, they say absolutely nothing about a screen reader. Fortunately, both AT&T and Tracfone do. This is from AT&T.
https://www.att.com/device-support/index/tcl/flip-2/
* Readout reads almost everything. Almost all menus are read. Certainly, important ones such as settings are, except for the battery percentage. I can easily add a Bluetooth device, set an alarm, change ring tones, switch to usb file transfer mode, read all files on the phone (and presumably on an sd card/I'm waiting for that to arrive), read notifications, use the Music, Recorder, and Notes programs. I think I can also add contacts, but I'm still working on that.
*Files are easily transferred from my computer to the phone and vise versa. Even though it's a very old version (11), on AOSP, so I'm not truly surprised about that.
*It works well with an external keyboard. Mostly, I won't be using one, but it really helps when adding contacts, writing notes, or sending texts, though I usually do the last via Google Voice on my computer.
*It's not huge. I was concerned that it would be a very long phone, but it's really not. It's also narrow and very easy to hold in the hand.
*The battery life is excellent. It lasts for a long time if it's just sitting idle.
*It has a headphone jack. I really missed that when going to the SE3 from my A15. Now, I can listen to things without worrying that the batteries in my earbuds will die.Cons
*Setting it up the first time requires sighted assistance. There is no way to turn Readout on with a hotkey such as the volume buttons, as with regular Android. But the option appears very early in the process, and if you wanted to, once it was on, you could finish the process yourself.
*Setting alarms can be confusing at first. For some reason, while it always speaks the first number in each column (hour and minute), when I arrow up and down, it says nothing. Then, when I go back to it, it will tell me the changes. For example, if the hour is on 9 and I set it to 10, it will not say "10". IIf the minute is on 29 and I set it to 30, it says nothing. But if I then go back to the hour column, it will say "10" and if I then go to the minute column, it will say "30". Now that I know this, it's fairly simple to do.
*The battery percentage isn't announced via the menus. As with the clock, I don't understand this. It reads everything up to clicking on "battery level" and then it just says "okay" without actually telling me the level. The only way I can be sure of it is to plug the phone into a wall outlet, a computer, or a power bank.
*The calendar does not speak at all. Absolutely nothing in the calendar speaks.
*It does not announce whose calling. At first, I was upset about this. Then, I realized that the only phone which did that was my Kyocera Rally and then only because I chose a ring tone that specifically read out messages. None of my iphones (SE, SE2, and SE3) nor my galaxy A15 read out numbers. I must unlock the phone to read them. Here, though, if I open the phone, it answers. The other option is press any key, so no matter what, I won't ever know who's calling. I can, however, set specific ring tones for contacts and just ignore everyone else.
*Programs can be installed on it, but it's not easy or officially supported. I wasn't sure whether to include this in Pros or Cons, but since everyone says it's extremely difficult, as the phone must be rooted and failure and even ruining the phone are possible, I put it under Cons. I won't be attempting it. But for those interested, this is a forum discussion that explains how to do it. It also contains a site with programs for flip phones in general, so you might find it useful, even if you own another model or brand entirely.
https://www.howardforums.com/threads/tcl-flip-2-modding-info.1927948/
*The branding on this phone is very confuding. When trying to determine if this phone had a screen reader, I came across several similar-sounding names. The Alcatel My Flip 2 and Flip Go 2 are entirely different phones. But the TCL Flip 2 and Alcatel TCL Flip 2, all with the model number T408DL (or ALT408DL) are the same thing.Overall Opinion
I absolutely love this phone! It's small, light, has real buttons, speaks what I need it to speak, and even has some extras like music, Recorder, Notes, alarm/timer, and hotspot. I can finally simply call someone and hang up without annoyances, an use a phone that doesn't require the strength of Hercules and the hands of a giant to hold! I would highly recommend this to anyone who just wants a simple phone and doesn't want to pay over $300 for the Minivision2+. While the Flip 2 isn't designed for the blind, it does most things right and can definitely be used daily.#Android #accessibility #AOSP #blind #Dumbphone #FlipPhone #MiniVision2+ #MobilePhone #TCLFlip2 #Tello #technology
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I found a new phone and a new company to go with it, though the phone is unlocked. It's a TCL Flip 2. It's cheap, it talks, and it has real buttons, completely eliminating my issues with touchscreens. It is also very affordable. The company I'm trying is called Tello. I am currently with Mint Mobile, and I have never had a problem with them. But I like Tello's pricing and build your own plan option. Now, I will be able to make calls and hang up easily. Plus, it has things that I use the most, including clock, timer, alarm, weather, and even a recorder and media player! The only thing I would really miss is Seeing AI, but I can always use my iPhone or Galaxy A15 for that. Here is more information on the phone.
https://tello.com/buy/phones/tcl-flip2-new-volcanoblack-8gb-tcl
#accessibility #Android #AOSP #blind #buttons #FlipPhone #MintMobile #phone #TCL #technology #Tello
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Deshitification
May was the first month I missed in 3 years of blogging. Enshitification was 1 of the reasons. -
This is an adorable flip phone, unlocked, with great color choices, and good price.
I'll consider one, but I don't think I can do it due to various addictions. 😁
I'll think about it.
I've done a lot of muting on my commercial social media feeds. That has helped so much. Maybe later, the mobile.
I'm focusing on real reading (of books!) now. Feels so good.
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not exactly foss, but this commodore flip phone looks kind of awesome.
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Arvosteluputkestamme tällä kertaa puhelin, joka mahtuu pieneenkin taskuun..
..eli moderni taittuvanäyttöinen simpukkapuhelin, Motorola Razr 70 Ultra. Puhelin vakuutti arvostelussamme, vaikka sekään ei suinkaan täydellinen ollut. Mutta pidimme luurista, todella paljon.
https://www.puhelinvertailu.com/uutiset/2026/07/09/motorola-razr-70-ultra-arvostelu
#Motorola #MotorolaRazr70Ultra #simpukkapuhelin #flipphone #android #arvostelu #arvostelut #uutiset
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Callback Flip Phone Raises Big Questions for the New Commodore
#Commodore #CommodoreCallback8020 #RetroComputing #RetroTech #C64 #C64Ultimate #Nebbed #FlipPhone
https://theoasisbbs.com/callback-flip-phone-raises-big-questions-for-the-new-commodore/?fsp_sid=9288 -
Pre-orders for the Commodore Callback 8020 are live now! 🖁
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Would you buy the Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone?
https://commodore.net/callback/
#Commodore #Callback #FlipPhone #socialmedia
Reply and tell me why?
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Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone with Sailfish OS now available for pre-order
The Commodore Callback 8020 might be one of the strangest phones of the year so far. The company now calling itself Commodore is leaning into the nostalgia of its name with a handset designed to look like a 20-year old flip phone.
But while it has a small screen on top and number pad on the button, it is a modern smartphone that runs the Linux-based Sailfish OS and supports many Android […]
#commodore #commodoreCallback8020 #distractionFreePhone #flipPhone #sailfishOs Read more: https://liliputing.com/commodore-callback-8020-flip-phone-with-sailfish-os-now-available-for-pre-order/ -
I was already on another level before because of my SH-N01, I guess I am golden now :neofox_sign_aaa:, this is another keitai we have in the family called LG wine smart, smart because its touch.. :ashinobu_dab: :moomin_mlady:
There is already a XMPP/Jabber group I made for cool things like this -> https://invite.joinjabber.org/#keitai@groups.durare.org%3Fjoin
Previous keitai toot - https://merveilles.town/@untrusem/115985458223083986 :moomin_flower:
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Commodore's Callback 8020 just got more interesting with a $399 entry price ahead of pre-orders. A Linux flip phone could be a neat middle ground for digital detox fans.
#tech #technology #commodore #linuxphone #flipphone #digitaldetox
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Callback Price Cut: Damage Control or Listening?
#CommodoreCallback #Callback8020 #Perifractic #SailfishOS #Commodore #FlipPhone #RetroHardware #CommodoreNet
https://theoasisbbs.com/callback-price-cut-damage-control-or-listening/?fsp_sid=9011 -
Interesting device. My teenage daughter is actively looking for a flip phone, this is certainly interesting although the price is a bit too serious, however, you‘d probably end up spending a similarish sum on a used iPhone….
#flipphone #sailfish #commodore #dumbphone -
Commodore Unveils Linux Powered Flip Phone
https://web.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/06/18/commodore-unveils-linux-powered-flip-phone/
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There's now a Linux-powered flip phone. 😮🖁
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Commodore Callback 8020: Flip phone without browser, social networks, and 5G (heise.de)
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Commodore Callback 8020: Who Is This Phone For?
#Commodore #Callback8020 #SailfishOS #FlipPhone #DigitalDetox #HeyWhatsNext #Jolla #BasicBeige #FoundersEdition
https://theoasisbbs.com/commodore-callback-8020-who-is-this-phone-for/?fsp_sid=8468 -
When you announce a product that you believe in, and you’re very hopeful about, and your customer base reacts like… #flipphone
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I want a phone that doesn't have a phone...
Commodore made a social media-banishing flip phone - Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2195276/commodore-made-a-social-media-banishing-flip-phone/
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Hey #Fediverse #Canada #technology #flipphone #phone
It looks like Bill C22 might pass soon.
I'm looking for a reliable flip-phone that I can purchase within Canada that is
- reliable
- easy enough to use
- works with all the major Cdn telephone carriers
- inexpensive (in case spooks want to install spyware/ODIT on it)
- does talk and text (I'm not taking any chances on intalling apps especially android)
- has a 3.5 mm audio jack
- is highly resistant to ODITs being installed on it (an old Linux phone would do)
- can be ordered/purchased from a business that has a presence in CanadaI would be willing to order from ebay or Amazon if I could not find one locally (Small Cdn town).
If you can recommend one that I can easily obtain then that would be greatly appreciated.
I can always use my old android phone as a media player or a 911 phone.
I'm planning to get a voip phone from an internet provider. The old POTS phones are almost gone.
The flip-phone will be a backup and mobile option.Thanks.
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Welcome to the Internot
Smartphones? Too smart.
Dumbphones? Too dumb.We built the phone in between.
Does everything you want, nothing you don’t.It’s the not dumb dumbphone.
#Commodore #FlipPhone #Dumbphone
https://commodore.net/callback/ -
Love the idea, #Commodore, and would be tempted - but £400? I get its "competitive" with similar ethos phones but I also think they're too expensive for reduced features. <£200? Maybe, if camera is good, I can tether data, and I can remove WhatsApp.
