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A startup called Tin Can is reviving the landline with its first batch of corded devices that harken back to a simpler time of communication.
Why It Rings: The rise of dumbphones, early-aughts flip phones, and phone-locking tools shows society pushing back against the distractions and dangers of the always-connected smartphone. With analog devices cool again, it was only a matter of time before landlines made a comeback.
Between The Lines: Parents are dusting off old landlines, so kids can chat with friends without handing them a smartphone — the same way they did as kids.
Tin Can wants to be the upgraded version, according to Fast Company.
- The phones retail for $75, with a bright, retro 1980s design… that also resembles a tin can, of course.
- They operate on “Voice over Internet Protocol” (VoIP) rather than a traditional landline and plug directly into a router or Ethernet port. The company also plans to roll out a WiFi version in the future.
- Each device is assigned a unique five-digit code instead of a phone number. Usage is free, although a planned upgrade that allows dialing real phone numbers will cost $10/month.
- And here’s a cool feature for parents: they can toggle on and off when the Tin Can is available to use via an app.
The Future: Society still has a long way to go before twirling phone cords while chatting counts as a trend again. As of last year, 78.7% of adults lived in a household without a landline… and we’d bet many who still have them forget they exist. No wonder AT&T unsuccessfully tried to discontinue servicing them in California.
Next Call: Getting a landline may become the next rite of passage for kids, which could make it a big business.
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