The Clicks Communicator: A BlackBerry-Style Keyboard for Your Phone
▼ Summary
– The Clicks Communicator is a $499 standalone device with a QWERTY keyboard and its own cellular connection, designed as a less-distracting companion to a smartphone.
– It features nostalgic hardware elements like a headphone jack, physical mute switch, microSD slot, and a touch-sensitive keyboard that doubles as a trackpad.
– The device runs Android 16 on a 5G connection but is intended for essential apps only, using a minimalist launcher to reduce distractions.
– Customization options include interchangeable back plates, multiple color choices, and a programmable side key with an LED for notifications.
– A promotional offer allows a $199 reservation to reduce the final price to $399, and it includes a 4-inch OLED screen, cameras, and a 4,000mAh battery.
For those who miss the satisfying feel of physical keys and crave a simpler connection, a new device offers a focused alternative to the modern smartphone. The Clicks Communicator is a standalone gadget featuring a full BlackBerry-style QWERTY keyboard and its own cellular link, designed for moments when you want to stay reachable without the endless distractions of your primary device. This compact communicator runs on Android and provides a dedicated 5G data connection, allowing you to leave your main phone behind entirely. However, this focused functionality comes with a significant cost, launching at a price of $499.
Looking past the price tag, which rivals that of a budget-friendly new phone, reveals a gadget packed with nostalgic appeal and practical features. The device boasts interchangeable back plates for personalization and revives several ports and controls that have vanished from most mainstream handsets. You’ll find a built-in headphone jack, a physical mute switch, and expandable storage via a microSD card slot. The keyboard itself is a highlight, with physically larger keys than a typical accessory case and a touch-sensitive surface that doubles as a trackpad for navigation.
As a fully independent device, the Communicator operates on Android 16 and supports downloading any app. Its core philosophy, however, encourages a minimalist approach by limiting it to essential communication tools, providing a digital escape from a more cluttered primary phone. This makes it a natural fit within the Android ecosystem, where apps like Google Messages can seamlessly sync between devices. The company is not attempting to integrate services like iMessage through unofficial workarounds, focusing instead on a straightforward Android experience.
Supporting this less-distracting ethos is a custom launcher developed with Niagara, which organizes apps into a simple vertical list rather than a grid of icons. A customizable side key with an LED indicator can be programmed to glow in specific colors for particular contacts or app notifications, adding a layer of discreet, glanceable information. This same key can also be set to trigger a user-defined shortcut with a quick press.
On the hardware front, the device is equipped with a 4.03-inch OLED display, both front and rear cameras, and a substantial 4,000mAh silicon carbon battery designed for extended use. It will be available in three color options: a clover green, a smoky off-white, and a deep onyx. For those intrigued but hesitant about the cost, the company is offering a promotional reservation. Securing a unit with a $199 deposit now reduces the final price to $399.
(Source: The Verge)
