Do you think we really need all those apps that are installed in our smartphones?
In our world of “app-obesity”, Punkt offers a breath of fresh air with a simpler approach to technology.
Petter Neby 🇳🇴, a Norwegian entrepreneur, founded Punkt in 2008, a company that create products that focus on the things we really need without any of the distractions we don’t.
Punkt is based in Switzerland 🇨🇭, it had around 50 employees and offers 2 different mobile models:
The 1st is the MC02. It has basic digital tools and focuses on privacy and security – email, calendar, contacts, notes, storage and a built-in VPN. They have an agreement with Threema, which comes pre-installed. This model has a subscription and costs around CHF 12/month (1st year free).
The 2nd one, the MP02, is a classic dumbphone. The interface is 100% text-based, with no icons, and it has the most basic functions of a telephone.
Punkt devices use AphyOS, an OS based on GrapheneOS developed by Apostrophy AG 🇨🇭 (https://www.apostrophy.ch).
The hardware is made in China, but they say the rest is made in Europe (design and development).
All Punkt’s models were designed by Jasper Morrison 🇬🇧, a renowned English product designer, and the ringtones were created by the Norwegian sound artist Kjetil Røst Nilsen 🇳🇴.
They also sell exclusive phone cases created by other European companies, like the MP02’s case, which is made by QWSTION, a Swiss eco-conscious company. QWSTION accessories are made with a fabric made purely from regeneratively grown banana plants that has won lots of awards. You can see more of their products here: https://qwstion.com
The MC02’s leather phone case is handcrafted in the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 by Daniel Piterak. They use Italian leather 🇮🇹 and traditional manufacturing techniques. Their online store has many leather handmade accessories: https://www.dannypstyle.com
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to spend less time online or have their data protected when surfing the web. Or, it can be a second phone to use when you don’t need to have your regular phone full of apps and data with you.
One thing’s for sure, if the company keeps its values, we won’t have to worry about AI being integrated into their mobiles anytime soon! 🙂
There are many reviews online about it you can check out.
Check their website to see all features:
Some reviews and some videos of Punkt founder Petter Neby and the CEO Steve Cistulli talking about the company, the smartphone, OS and privacy:
Punkt CEO goes hands-on with MP02 minimalist mobile phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbEc9O8nhlw
Coffee With Developers – Steve Cistulli on Apostrophy OS and data sovereignity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3O-rkPlzYI
Tackling Our Smartphone Addiction | Petter Neby, Founder & CEO of Punkt | Hub Culture Davos 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R02hZhJNE-
Design best magazine: The MP02 phone by Punkt., smartphone detox https://www.designbestmagazine.com/en/best-products/the-mp02-phone-by-punkt-smartphone-detox
Punkt MC02 5G – Smartphone for digital sovereignty https://www.shots.media/en/accessoires/2024/punkt-mc02-5g-smartphone-fuer-digitale-souveraenitaet/108061
Digitaltrends: I used a new type of smartphone that could replace Android https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apostrophy-os-android-ios-alternative-hands-on-ces-2024/#dt-heading-the-hardware-powering-apostrophy-os
CES 2024: Punkt. Partners With Apostrophy for Privacy-First Phone https://www.pcmag.com/news/ces-2024-punkt-partners-with-apostrophy-for-privacy-first-phone