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{{Short description|Minimalist mobile phone series, 2017-}}
{{Short description|Minimalist mobile phone series, 2017-}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}


{{Infobox company
{{Advert|date=April 2021}}
| name = The Light Phone Inc.
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
| logo = Light-logo-SVG.svg
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = Electronics (B2C)
| founded = {{Start date and age |2014|9|15}}
| founder = {{Unbulleted list|[[Joe Hollier]]|[[Kaiwei Tang]]}}
| hq_location = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|[[Kaiwei Tang]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|[[Joe Hollier]] (President)|[[Eileen Bayers]] (VP of Operations and Finance)|Tim Kendall (Investor & Board Member)}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|[[Light Phone]]|[[Light Phone 2]]}}
| assets = {{Unbulleted list|US$152,453.00 (2018)|US$722,218.00 (2017)}}
| num_employees = {{Unbulleted list|12 (2024)|4 (2018)}}
| website = {{URL | https://thelightphone.com}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1710903/000171090318000001/LightPhoneFormCAR.pdf |title=2018 Annual Report (Form Form C-AR) |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |date=November 3, 2023}}</ref>


<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pitchbook.com/profiles/company/120134-62 | title=The Light Phone Company Profile | publisher=PitchBook | date=November 9, 2023}}</ref>
The '''Light Phone''' is a brand of [[Mobile phone|mobile phones]] by Light, a startup company in [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]], that creates technology products advertised as "designed to be used as little as possible".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Light Phone |url=https://www.thelightphone.com/about-us |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.thelightphone.com |language=en}}</ref> The Light Phone was conceived as a reaction against [[problematic smartphone use]], with the discussion of apps and services such as [[email]], [[social media]], and [[Web browser|web browsers]] being a key focus of the brand's production and marketing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zelenko |first=Michael |date=2019-09-04 |title=Light Phone 2: The high hopes of the low-tech phone |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/4/20847717/light-phone-2-minimalist-features-design-keyboard-crowdfunding |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>
}}

The '''Light Phone''' is a brand of [[Mobile phone|mobile phones]] by The Light Phone, Inc., a startup company in [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]], founded by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, which creates technology products advertised as "designed to be used as little as possible".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Light Phone |url=https://www.thelightphone.com/about-us |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.thelightphone.com |language=en}}</ref> The Light Phone was conceived as a reaction against [[problematic smartphone use]], with the discussion of apps and services such as [[email]], [[social media]], and [[Web browser|web browsers]] being a key focus of the brand's production and marketing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zelenko |first=Michael |date=2019-09-04 |title=Light Phone 2: The high hopes of the low-tech phone |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/4/20847717/light-phone-2-minimalist-features-design-keyboard-crowdfunding |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>


==Light Phone==
==Light Phone==
Line 12: Line 27:


=== Features and specifications ===
=== Features and specifications ===
The Light Phone is only capable of making and receiving phone calls and will store up to 10 [[Speed dial|speed dial numbers]]. Upon launch, it came with a prepaid [[2G]] [[SIM card]] with 500 minutes of call time, assigned to a seperate phone number. The Light Phone comes with no applications aside from basic text and call functionality and a simple tool for setting up alarms. The Light Phone features a small two-tone analog-digital display and a [[Phone connector (audio)|headphone jack]] to assist with phone calls. Buttons on the phone are made visible by light fixtures inside the phone case.
The Light Phone is only capable of making and receiving phone calls and stored up to 10 [[Speed dial|speed dial numbers]]. Upon launch, it came with a prepaid [[2G]] [[SIM card]] with 500 minutes of call time, assigned to a separate phone number. The Light Phone comes with no applications aside from basic text and call functionality and a simple tool for setting up alarms. The Light Phone features a small two-tone analog-digital display and a [[Phone connector (audio)|headphone jack]] to assist with phone calls. Buttons on the phone are made visible by light fixtures inside the phone case.


There used to be a smartphone application allowing for redirection of calls from the user's smartphone to the Light Phone, displaying contact names if any are found. This app is no longer accessible, and the dedicated page was removed from the Light Phone website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Michael |date=May 20, 2015 |title=This credit-card-size phone does one thing, and one thing only |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/credit-card-sized-light-phone-does-one-thing-and-one-thing-only/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>
There used to be a smartphone application allowing for redirection of calls from the user's smartphone to the Light Phone, displaying contact names if any are found. This app is no longer accessible, and the dedicated page was removed from the Light Phone website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Michael |date=May 20, 2015 |title=This credit-card-size phone does one thing, and one thing only |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/credit-card-sized-light-phone-does-one-thing-and-one-thing-only/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>


==Light Phone II==
==Light Phone II==
[[File:LPII-2306.jpg|thumb|Photo of the Light Phone II (2023)]]


=== Release ===
=== Release ===
The Light Phone II is designed to be a standalone mobile phone, unlike its predecessor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Light Phone |url=https://www.thelightphone.com/ |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=www.thelightphone.com |language=en}}</ref> The project was [[crowdfunded]], raising $3,513,838 by 10,732 backers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/light-phone-2-review|title=Can This New Dumb Phone Fix Your Smartphone Addiction?|first=Daniel|last=Varghese|website=GQ}}</ref>
The Light Phone II was announced in March 2018. It was designed to be a standalone mobile phone, unlike its predecessor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Light Phone |url=https://www.thelightphone.com/ |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=www.thelightphone.com |language=en}}</ref> The project was [[crowdfunded]], raising $3,513,838 by 10,732 backers, and eventually shipped in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/light-phone-2-review|title=Can This New Dumb Phone Fix Your Smartphone Addiction?|first=Daniel|last=Varghese|website=GQ}}</ref>


=== Features and specifications ===
=== Features and specifications ===
The Light Phone II comes in two colors, light grey and black, and has a 2.84-inch two-color [[Electronic paper|e-ink]] display. It can connect via [[Bluetooth]], a [[Headphone Jack|headphone jack]], [[Cellular network|cellular]], or [[micro USB]]. It supports [[4G]], since 2G is no longer widely supported. It can send and receive texts and calls, hold significantly more contacts, set alarms, play [[music]] and [[podcast]]s, and run a Wi-Fi [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]].
The Light Phone II comes in two colors, light grey and black, and has a 2.84-inch two-color [[Electronic paper|e-ink]] display. It can connect via [[Bluetooth]], a [[Headphone Jack|headphone jack]], [[Cellular network|cellular]], or [[micro USB]]. It supports [[4G]], since 2G is no longer widely supported. It can send and receive texts and calls, hold significantly more contacts, set alarms, play [[music]] and [[podcast]]s, and run a Wi-Fi [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]]. The phone's software is continuously being developed by Light, which has led to new tools such as a [[Calendaring software|calendar]], [[Journey planner|directions]], [[Directory assistance|directory]], and [[Note-taking#Electronic note-taking methods|notes]] tool.<ref name=":1" /> The phone's tools are managed through an online dashboard.

=== pgLang ===
On October 30, 2023, [[PGLang|pgLang]] announced via a short video on their [[Twitter|X]] and [[Instagram]] accounts that they had collaborated with The Light Phone to create a limited-edition "pgLang" branded version of the phone. The run of 250 phones was released on pgLang's website November 2, 2023. In addition to the phones new branding, they are also come with a [[Magic 8 Ball|Magic 8-ball]]-inspired fortune-telling feature which will respond to yes-or-no questions after the phone has been shaken.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Nickolas |date=2023-10-30 |title=Kendrick Lamar's pgLang drops a limited-edition phone for minimalists |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/pglang-kendrick-lamar-light-phone-debut |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101183448/https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/pglang-kendrick-lamar-light-phone-debut |archive-date=2023-11-01 |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Android Central |language=en}}</ref>

== Light Phone III ==

=== Release ===
The Light Phone III was announced for pre-orders on June 11, 2024 with an expected ship date in January of 2025. This is the first time they've announced a new phone without a crowdfunding model. Unlike the previous version of the phone, the Light Phone III will have an [[AMOLED]] display instead of e-ink. It also will have both a front and back facing camera with a dedicated shutter button. The expected price of the phone is double the cost of the previous model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierce |first=David |date=June 11, 2024 |title=The Light Phone 3 is a little less light — but a lot more useful |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/11/24176026/light-phone-3-launch-price-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611153033/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/11/24176026/light-phone-3-launch-price-release-date |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=The Verge}}</ref>


== Light OS ==
== Light OS ==
The Light Phone II runs an [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based operating system called Light OS, developed by Light. Consumers have found ways to [[JailBreak (Android)|jailbreak]] it to access Android.<ref>{{Citation|title=Tutorial: Android for the Light Phone 2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOXGuFKQ0_E|language=en|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> In future iterations of Light OS, more features and services are planned to be added, including a [[Calendaring software|calendar]], [[Note-taking#Electronic note-taking methods|notes]], and [[Ridesharing company|ridesharing]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tool Availability Status |url=https://support.thelightphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031128671-Tool-Availability-Status |website=The Light Phone |access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref>
The Light Phone II runs an [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based operating system called [[Light OS]], developed by The Light Phone, Inc. Consumers have found ways to [[JailBreak (Android)|jailbreak]] it to access Android.<ref>{{Citation|title=Tutorial: Android for the Light Phone 2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOXGuFKQ0_E|language=en|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> In future iterations of Light OS, more features and services are in consideration to be added, including [[Music streaming service|music streaming]], [[WhatsApp]], and [[Ridesharing company|ridesharing]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Tool Availability Status |url=https://support.thelightphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031128671-Tool-Availability-Status |website=The Light Phone |access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.thelightphone.com/ The Light Phone]
* [https://www.thelightphone.com/ The Light Phone]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-jamNT9CkY Light Phone 2 – A phone that actually respects you. (Indiegogo Video)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-jamNT9CkY Light Phone 2 – A phone that actually respects you. (Indiegogo Video)]


[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2017]]
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2017]]

Latest revision as of 19:21, 12 August 2024

The Light Phone Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryElectronics (B2C)
FoundedSeptember 15, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-09-15)
Founder
HeadquartersBrooklyn, New York
Key people
Products
Total assets
  • US$152,453.00 (2018)
  • US$722,218.00 (2017)
Number of employees
  • 12 (2024)
  • 4 (2018)
Websitethelightphone.com
Footnotes / references
[1] [2]

The Light Phone is a brand of mobile phones by The Light Phone, Inc., a startup company in Brooklyn, New York, founded by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, which creates technology products advertised as "designed to be used as little as possible".[3] The Light Phone was conceived as a reaction against problematic smartphone use, with the discussion of apps and services such as email, social media, and web browsers being a key focus of the brand's production and marketing.[4]

Light Phone

[edit]

Release

[edit]

The Light Phone was announced on May 13, 2015, via Kickstarter, and released sometime in April 2017. During its campaign, the Light Phone raised $415,127 from 3,187 backers, over double the initial goal of US$200,000.[4]

Features and specifications

[edit]

The Light Phone is only capable of making and receiving phone calls and stored up to 10 speed dial numbers. Upon launch, it came with a prepaid 2G SIM card with 500 minutes of call time, assigned to a separate phone number. The Light Phone comes with no applications aside from basic text and call functionality and a simple tool for setting up alarms. The Light Phone features a small two-tone analog-digital display and a headphone jack to assist with phone calls. Buttons on the phone are made visible by light fixtures inside the phone case.

There used to be a smartphone application allowing for redirection of calls from the user's smartphone to the Light Phone, displaying contact names if any are found. This app is no longer accessible, and the dedicated page was removed from the Light Phone website.[5]

Light Phone II

[edit]
Photo of the Light Phone II (2023)

Release

[edit]

The Light Phone II was announced in March 2018. It was designed to be a standalone mobile phone, unlike its predecessor.[6] The project was crowdfunded, raising $3,513,838 by 10,732 backers, and eventually shipped in September 2019.[7]

Features and specifications

[edit]

The Light Phone II comes in two colors, light grey and black, and has a 2.84-inch two-color e-ink display. It can connect via Bluetooth, a headphone jack, cellular, or micro USB. It supports 4G, since 2G is no longer widely supported. It can send and receive texts and calls, hold significantly more contacts, set alarms, play music and podcasts, and run a Wi-Fi hotspot. The phone's software is continuously being developed by Light, which has led to new tools such as a calendar, directions, directory, and notes tool.[8] The phone's tools are managed through an online dashboard.

pgLang

[edit]

On October 30, 2023, pgLang announced via a short video on their X and Instagram accounts that they had collaborated with The Light Phone to create a limited-edition "pgLang" branded version of the phone. The run of 250 phones was released on pgLang's website November 2, 2023. In addition to the phones new branding, they are also come with a Magic 8-ball-inspired fortune-telling feature which will respond to yes-or-no questions after the phone has been shaken.[9]

Light Phone III

[edit]

Release

[edit]

The Light Phone III was announced for pre-orders on June 11, 2024 with an expected ship date in January of 2025. This is the first time they've announced a new phone without a crowdfunding model. Unlike the previous version of the phone, the Light Phone III will have an AMOLED display instead of e-ink. It also will have both a front and back facing camera with a dedicated shutter button. The expected price of the phone is double the cost of the previous model.[10]

Light OS

[edit]

The Light Phone II runs an Android-based operating system called Light OS, developed by The Light Phone, Inc. Consumers have found ways to jailbreak it to access Android.[11] In future iterations of Light OS, more features and services are in consideration to be added, including music streaming, WhatsApp, and ridesharing.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2018 Annual Report (Form Form C-AR)" (PDF). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. November 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "The Light Phone Company Profile". PitchBook. November 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "The Light Phone". www.thelightphone.com. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Zelenko, Michael (September 4, 2019). "Light Phone 2: The high hopes of the low-tech phone". The Verge. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Franco, Michael (May 20, 2015). "This credit-card-size phone does one thing, and one thing only". CNET. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Light Phone". www.thelightphone.com. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Varghese, Daniel. "Can This New Dumb Phone Fix Your Smartphone Addiction?". GQ.
  8. ^ a b "Tool Availability Status". The Light Phone. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Diaz, Nickolas (October 30, 2023). "Kendrick Lamar's pgLang drops a limited-edition phone for minimalists". Android Central. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Pierce, David (June 11, 2024). "The Light Phone 3 is a little less light — but a lot more useful". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Tutorial: Android for the Light Phone 2, retrieved March 22, 2021
[edit]