bent lion3d ago
Ars Technica

Commodore’s newest gadget is a flip phone that blocks social media and browsers

Commodore's Call Back 8020 is a phone “where the customer is not the product."
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/06/commodores-newest-gadget-is-a-flip-phone-that-blocks-social-media-and-browsers/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Jun 16 at 9:07amArsBot 🤖
Show threadgloria dei3d ago
@arstechnica Commodore exists?!?!
Show threadBonkers3d ago

@knord @arstechnica they even produced a facelifted c64 :)

https://commodore.net/computer/

Computer - Commodore

Commodore
Show threadNini3d ago
@knord @arstechnica In as much as Atari still exists, it's the flayed skin of Commodore draped over someone else.
Show threadGames That I Missed3d ago
@nini @knord @arstechnica I was very skeptical of New Atari, but I've had the opportunity to play some of the new games on the 2600+ and computer at conventions over the past few years. They're very good. I'm not an Atari person (I couldn't stand those joysticks when I was a kid), but the new company is putting out entertaining, interesting games.
Show threadHumanBeing3d ago
@knord @arstechnica I'm in here because I had a 30+ yr old flashback and wondered if I was in The Onion mag. Didn't want to sound like a dunce so thanks for asking :) . Crazy stuff.
Show threadBill, organizer of stuff3d ago
@arstechnica ShutUpAndTakeMyMoney.gif
Show threadpoetaster3d ago
@arstechnica and it runs #SailfishOs under the hood!
Show threadGert-Jan Kroese3d ago

@poetaster @arstechnica
“The Callback 8020 runs the #linux based operating system #sailfishos which is made by @jolla , a mobile company created by Nokia employees in 2012 that also makes phones.

Per Commodore, its phone will support “over 99 percent of #android apps” through Sailfish OS’s Android runtime app compatibility layer, including #spotify, #signal and #whatsapp . Commodore also equipped the phone with some Commodore 64-era games.”

Show threadStuck Here3d ago

@gjkroese @poetaster @arstechnica @jolla

The article doesn't say but I hope it has a removable battery.

And it will work with my car's navigation screen for mapping and music.

And tethering??

Am I asking too much? This phone looks like it hits all of the right spots.

Show threadCyberPunker3d ago
@MyWoolyMastadon
On their site they say battery is user swappable
https://commodore.net/callback/
@gjkroese @poetaster @arstechnica @jolla
Callback 8020: The Future of Flip-Phones

Meet Callback 8020: the perfect blend of functionality and privacy in a Flip-Phone, no social media or browser allowed.

Commodore
Show threadok1computer3d ago
@arstechnica "newest gadget" sounds so ironicly here
Show threadBoris Kretzinger3d ago
@arstechnica Well ... hope they have their market research homework done, but I'll remain very sceptical of this. Also not something anybody has waited for imo, but guess we'll see.
Show thread.ｂｅｅｊａｙ3d ago
@Datassette_User @arstechnica Browsers and Social Media is blocked, but messengers like WhatsApp aren’t? Especially on WhatsApp the user is a huge valuable product. This is not consistent in my opinion.
SMS/RCS has enough functionality to cover most messaging needs without collecting, analyzing and selling metadata.
Show threadwoe2you3d ago

@beejay @Datassette_User @arstechnica Yeah, the "not the product" thing is absolutely full of shit.

Remember when tech journalists did actual journalism instead of publishing press releases verbatim?

Show thread.ｂｅｅｊａｙ3d ago
@woe2you @Datassette_User @arstechnica It is absolute bullshit. Either it’s a dumbphone with really limited functionality or the user is able to install what they want.
Show threadMike Siegel3d ago

@arstechnica it's an interesting idea, although I am wondering about the implementation given the login flow of many applications.

No small number seem to want to redirect you to a web browser to handle things like FIDO2 or OAuth flows, which then returns back to the app via an intent/url scheme?

Show threadbent lion3d ago
@arstechnica people can be really awesome sometimes.There may be hope for us yet. 🙂✊
Show threadMacCruiskeen3d ago
@arstechnica I could totally see getting one for my mother.
Show threadtomasino3d ago
@arstechnica i wasn't very interested in this until I read the details. It may be recently what I've been hoping for.
Show threadARGVMI~1.PIF3d ago

@arstechnica

A phone that dictates which software you're allowed to install on your own hardware? No thanks. I'm not interested in going back to the bad old days.

Show threadOmnivore3d ago

@arstechnica

#alttext

A closed Callback 8020 flip-phone in the “BASIC Beige” style. It sits next to some books, a keyboard, and a vintage Commodore Model 1702 CRT video monitor, often used with Commodore 64 computers.

Show threadKaneda 🏃‍♂️🌱🚴‍♂️🎮 🏳️‍🌈3d ago

@arstechnica

499$