Subj : HMD's retro Barbie Flip Phone trades specs for simplicity (and sp
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Sun Feb 25 2024 13:45:06

HMD's retro Barbie Flip Phone trades specs for simplicity (and sparkle)

Date:
Sun, 25 Feb 2024 13:36:07 +0000

Description:
Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has announced an upcoming, Barbie-branded flip 
phone.

FULL STORY
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If you cant get Kenough of Greta Gerwigs box-office shaking Barbie movie, 
Nokia maker Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has a new product for you. 

The Barbie Flip Phone, which was announced in partnership with iconic toy 
maker Mattel at MWC 2024 , aims to flip the script on smartphone culture by 
offering a stripped-back mobile experience in a retro  and suitably pink  
package. 

Set to arrive in July this year, the Barbie Flip Phone represents HMDs 
response to a growing trend whereby Gen Z and millennials are deliberately 
limiting their screen time. The hashtag #bringbackflipphones, for instance, 
has so far garnered 60 million views on TikTok, and HMD claims that  in the 
last 12 months alone  its own European flip phone sales have more than 
doubled. Image 1 of 2 Promotional imagery for the Barbie Flip Phone (Image 
credit: HMD / Mattel) Image 2 of 2 Promotional imagery for the Barbie Flip 
Phone (Image credit: HMD / Mattel) 

So, what does the Barbie Flip Phone actually look like? Well, we dont know 
just yet; HMD has so far only shared a blurry tease image (below) and a 
series of toy-based promotional images (above). However, the teeny weeny pink 
toy phone visible in the latter does give us a good idea of what to expect 
come July. pic.twitter.com/Z8vWJj8uUE February 25, 2024 See more 

Also at MWC 2024, HMD announced plans to bring several more HMD-branded 
devices to market in the coming months  though, again, the brand hasnt yet 
shared specifics. We do know that HMD plans to bring back an iconic phone 
this summer, which will presumably be similar to the brands existing revivals 
of devices like the Nokia 3310 and Nokia 8110. 

HMD is upping its repairability game, too. Having announced the 
repairability-focused Nokia G22 phone this time last year, the company has 
now introduced a new Rasberry Pi-style developer toolkit, HMD Fusion  which 
is already available on its website  containing design files and information 
on software integration. 

The intention with HMD Fusion is to make sure people and businesses can 
augment their phone to fit their needs, HMD says. We want to champion many 
peoples creativity, which is leaps and bounds beyond what we can achieve 
solo. The potential is endless. These could be as simple as a fashionable 
outfit, an outfit with an extended battery, a payment terminal, barcode 
scanners, or even portable, connected medical equipment, it really is a blank 
canvas for creativity. You might also like Up close with Qualcomm Snapdragon 
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/phones/hmds-retro-barbie-flip-phone-trades-specs-for
-simplicity-and-sparkle


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