Mobile Technology

Micro-Phone combines a GSM phone and locator in a credit-card sized package

Micro-Phone combines a GSM phone and locator in a credit-card sized package
Micro-Phone is about the same size as a credit card
Micro-Phone is about the same size as a credit card
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The internal components of the Micro-Phone
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The internal components of the Micro-Phone
A side view of the internal components of the Micro-Phone
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A side view of the internal components of the Micro-Phone
The Micro-Phone tucked inside a wallet
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The Micro-Phone tucked inside a wallet
Screenshots of the Micro-Phone's tracking app
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Screenshots of the Micro-Phone's tracking app
A close view of the Micro-Phone's keypad
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A close view of the Micro-Phone's keypad
The Micro-Phone's dimensions
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The Micro-Phone's dimensions
Micro-Phone is about the same size as a credit card
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Micro-Phone is about the same size as a credit card
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Today's cellphone market is highly focused on smartphones. Android and iPhone have a stranglehold on the market, but does that mean there isn't room for something different? Micro-Phone certainly hopes so, as it is looking to bring its tiny GSM phone to market with the help of crowd-funding service Indiegogo. Instead of focusing on apps and other advanced features, Micro-Phone is focused on making a device that is small enough to carry anywhere, while still offering useful features such a locator.

The main focus of Micro-Phone is the size. It is only 85 mm long by 55 mm wide (3.3 x 2.2 in). Its depth is a minuscule 5.5 mm. To put the size in perspective, an average credit card is about 85 mm long by 54 mm wide (3.4 x 2.1 in). Of course, it is quite a bit thicker than a credit card, but it's designed to be carried in some wallets, provided the pockets are deep enough.

Any GSM SIM card will work with the Micro-Phone as long as it supports 850/900/1800/1900 bands. For owners of a micro or nano SIM, the phone will come with an adapter that will allow it to be used.

The phone comes in two models, one with a locator, and one without. The locator uses mobile phone towers to triangulate the position of the Micro-Phone. The location of the phone can be seen using the smartphone application. For parents wanting to keep track of their kids, this is a feature that could certainly prove to be useful.

The Micro-Phone comes with a lithium-ion battery designed to offer a standby life of about 21 days, which makes it well suited to traveling.

Some other notable features of the Micro-Phone include a full-sized keypad, a 1.8-inch LCD screen, and plenty of functions users expect to find in phones like an address book, calculator, and so on.

Micro-Phone is in the middle of its funding phase on Indiegogo. Currently, the creators have received a little over US$14,000 of their $50,000 goal. To receive a phone without the locator, a pledge of $39 is required while the early bird special lasts, and after that, the price of the phone will be $49. With a locator, an early bird special of $69 is available. Once those sell out, the locator version will jump to $79.

Source: Indiegogo

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8 comments
8 comments
Seth Miesters
Hmmm... a phone that is basically just a phone.
cfg83
Will it work on the Verizon network?
cfg83
Will it have a vibrate option? I don't see one in the hardware breakdown.
rik.warren
I doubt it will work on Verizon as it is described as a GSM phone. Verizon is not GSM.
Michael Logue
This is exactly what I've been wanting. I have a tablet that I carry around everywhere so I really don't need some large smart phone in my pocket. I just want a phone that's nice and compact.
AlanMcP
I had the opportunity to talk to a VP of Samsung and suggest that they make something just like this, he suggested an S4 mini :-(. I have a phablet and a tablet. When I don't have my tablet I appreciate the extra real estate of the phablet but when I have my tablet it is a pain to carry the extra bulk of the phablet. I will be signing up for one so I only have to carry one touch device.
pmshah
Although a lot of tech comes out the US the manner of implementation generally gives a raw deal to the consumer. There are a whole lot of really good quality quad core Android phones available in the market but can only be used outside of US, except of course the T-Mobile network in US. The phone manufacturer / importer has to tie up with the carrier and customize it to the carrier's whims. So chances of this device being widely used are remote. I speak from experience. My daughter's instrument would not work with any sim other than that provided by the carrier nor would that sim work with any other unlocked instrument.
From looking at the screenshots I wonder how this tracking business works. Does it have to be initiated by the person carrying the phone? Does it require same kind of instrument to find the person? Does it have some kind of security that limits the search criterion to paired instruments so unsavory people can't track your child or elderly Alzheimer patients? There is nothing mentioned about the OS either !
StWils
My concern is the monthly costs of service, not so much the basic device cost. Also, I would be fine with this device as described except, of course for the nonsense about the American market being blockaded by carriers. We need to retake control of the country from corporations.