New Privacy Phone Launches & Samsung’s $30K 115-Inch Micro RGB TV
▼ Summary
– The Up Phone, from Unplugged, is being relaunched with new leadership but was originally announced in 2023 and cofounded by Erik Prince of Blackwater.
– The phone runs on UnpluggedOS (based on Android Open Source Project) and lacks Google Mobile Services, featuring privacy tools like a firewall, VPN, and kill switch.
– Early privacy claims were criticized as unrealistic, and the phone’s specs remain outdated (2021 processor, 8GB RAM) for its high $989 price.
– Unplugged plans to move manufacturing to the US in 2025, raising concerns about potential price increases and past unfulfilled promises from similar ventures.
– Privacy services are free for the first year, then cost $13/month or $130/year, and the phone is available at Best Buy but not recommended for purchase.
A privacy-focused smartphone has resurfaced with bold claims, while a health tech company makes waves with advanced fertility tracking, here’s what you need to know.
The Up Phone, from Unplugged, is back in the spotlight with a relaunch under new management. Originally introduced in 2023, the device touts itself as a fortress for personal data, running on UnpluggedOS (previously LibertOS), a modified version of Android stripped of Google Mobile Services. The company insists this eliminates hidden data collection, though skepticism remains given past controversies.
Key features include an on-device firewall to block third-party trackers, a “no logs” VPN, and a kill switch that physically disconnects the battery when powered off. Brave Browser comes preinstalled, aligning with its privacy-first approach. However, the hardware hasn’t evolved, it still packs a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chip (released in 2021) and just 8GB of RAM, making its $989 price tag hard to justify compared to rivals.
Unplugged’s plans to shift manufacturing to the U.S. by late 2025 raise eyebrows, especially given the likely cost surge. Similar promises from other brands, like the ill-fated Trump Mobile T1, have fallen short before. Worse, privacy services, free for the first year, will later cost $13 monthly or $130 annually, adding to the long-term expense. Available at Best Buy and Unplugged’s site, the phone ships in September, but its value remains questionable.
Meanwhile, Ultrahuman, the subscription-free smart ring challenging Oura’s reign, is doubling down on women’s health. Its recent acquisition of viO HealthTech brings the OvuSense algorithm into its ecosystem, a clinically validated ovulation predictor built on 15 years of research and 260,000+ cycles of medical-grade data. With women now outpacing men in smart ring adoption, Ultrahuman’s move could reshape the wearable health market.
While the Up Phone struggles to prove its worth, Ultrahuman’s innovation highlights how tech is evolving to meet diverse needs, whether for privacy seekers or health-conscious users.
(Source: Wired)
