Retro smartphone accessories are trending, but ‘untethering’ isn’t for everyone
From corded handsets to lockable pouches, a new wave of products promises physical distance from our devices. But who gets to, and under what conditions?
A quirky gadget is gaining popularity in Australian online stores, which connects a smartphone to a landline in a nostalgic way. This corded handset plugs into the smartphone's charging port, transforming it into a clunky receiver held to your ear. Priced at about A$20, the accessory appears to be a retro novelty rather than a serious product.
This may signal a deeper trend in smartphone usage, which I have noticed in my research on recent smartphone trends. We have come a long way from large, bulky "brick" phones with physical buttons to sleek, pocket-sized devices that we carry with us at all times. However, in recent years, more people seem to be seeking ways to create some distance between themselves and their devices.
This trend is not available to everyone, however, raising questions about who can untether and under what circumstances.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
