In this age of complex and expensive smartphones, it can sometimes be fashionable to own a device that goes against the trend and cuts out all the clutter. Along the lines of the no-frills John's Phone, this new handset is sure to raise some eyebrows when you take it out of your pocket. Unfortunately, said eyebrows will not be raised in surprise, but in disdain at what a retard you are.

Meet the OwnFone, the world's first made-to-order mobile phone for the public, manufactured by UK-based CyCell. Previously available only to corporate bulk buyers, this device is now on offer for individual users as well. While it's not available for use in India (and probably never will be), it's still an interesting concept. The handset takes simplicity to a whole new level, by eliminating a screen, keypad, and practically everything else you'd expect from a regular phone. The only buttons available are the ones to turn the phone on or off, adjust the volume, answer a call, and dial up to 12 pre-programmed contacts specified at the time of purchasing the gadget. You can make a call simply by pressing any of these buttons, but can't contact anyone else. Fortunately, the phone can still receive calls from others.

To purchase this device, you have to visit the company website and customize the handset to your needs. Firstly, you can choose how many contacts to programme the phone with — two, four, eight, or twelve. Next, you can specify the colour and styling, followed by entering the names and phone numbers for the amount of contacts chosen in the first step. After you've made the payment, the end result will be delivered to you. If you ever want to change the numbers in future, you'll have to call up the company, since the contact information is stored not in the phone, but CyCell's servers. It'll make the necessary modifications for free, with a small charge for sending a new button if the name has been changed as well. Here's a video that demonstrates the process:
 

The credit-card sized OwnFone just weighs 40 grammes. Due to the lack of a power-hungry CPU or screen, the battery is claimed to last for up to days of normal use, and almost a year if the device is powered off after a full charge. In the event that the phone is lost or misplaced (no one in their sane mind will want to steal this thing), it'll not be of much use to the finder since it can only dial the numbers you have selected. Moreover, as the contacts are stored in the company's servers, there's no way to retrieve them off the phone. As soon as you register a complaint, service to the lost handset is suspended, making it a piece of electronic trash.

Based on the above facts, this gadget seems best suited as a gift for the really young kids and really old people in your family. If you want to keep in touch with your school-going children, without the risk of "spoiling" them with a regular phone, you can have the numbers of the parents and class teacher programmed into the handset. Also, for senior citizens who are not comfortable with technology, being able to call their kids or grandkids with the press of a single, large button will seem like a godsend. For the rest of the population, the limited functionality is a huge turn-off — and if you're looking for a backup device for your smartphone, there are many equally compact and long battery life phones out there with much higher flaunt value.

This OwnFone retails for £55 (Rs 4800 approx), and you also have to opt for a monthly postpaid (billing) plan. It's currently available only in the UK, with talks of a US launch sometime in the future. Even by international standards, the price is on the higher side, especially considering the phone's simplicity. You'd expect gadets like these to be priced cheaply, so that even if kids or elders lose a piece, it's no big deal at all. If you're still interested despite these drawbacks, you can begin the customization process here.

CyCell also claims that it will soon introduce Braille versions for the handicapped, as well as the ability to have each contact's photo on the respective button instead of a name. If this phone was available in India, would you opt for such a service, and why? Leave your opinion in the comments section.

Tags : Mobile Phones, Weird, Swagatam