This but Linux and dpalt mode.

Let me first say that I love the idea of this phone and it breaking free of the "tall, skinny rectangle" form factor. The physical keyboard is a huge draw for me as well. However, there are some things on the software side that are definitely making me wary.

While it offers a screen for viewing and responding to messages, the Communicator doesn’t provide access to addictive social media apps or games. Instead, the company partnered with the maker of an Android launcher, Niagara Launcher, to provide access to messaging apps and productivity tools like Gmail, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Slack.

I don't understand why it would limit apps. $499 is a lot to spend on a secondary device, and I don't know that I'd want to EDC two devices. That's a lie. I know I wouldn't want to everyday carry two phones because I did that for work and absolutely hated it.

Most apps work fine on smaller screens. I've been daily driving a Cat S22 Flip with a portrait-oriented 480x640 screen for over a year, and most apps scale just fine.

I've at least heard of Niagara Launcher. Is that saying the only way to use those apps is through the launcher's integration? That sounds shitty.

The company is teasing the possibility of integrating AI applications with this button

Dear god, no.

The phone’s standout feature is its Signal Light, a light-up button on the side of the device that can be customized with different colors and light patterns to indicate when you’ve received messages from certain people, groups, or app

So, a feature that has existed for years but was taken away from us? My old OnePlus had a customizable RGB light which could be configured the same way. It was really handy, and I hated the "always on" display that replaced it. I could tell from the color and pattern what kind of notification it was without having to preview it which was nice as it didn't stress me out with a need to reply.

I want to like this, but it seems like they're being very opinionated on how you actually use it. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be bootloader unlockable and LineageOS can save it from the shitty decisions of the manufacturer.

Edit: Submitted a question/ticket to ask support. Every time a promising-looking device is announced, I always ask. The answer is usually either "What? What do you mean?" or "No". One of these days, there will hopefully be a manufacturer that doesn't equate Android with Google.

Android 16 with 5 years of security updates

Makes a nice change for a niche device

the company believes its market will be people who do a lot of actual work on their devices

Ew.

I didn't know I want a detached phone keyboard until now

I like some of the features of this phone and in some ways it is similar to the iKKO Mind One I backed, but I've always found this idea of "companion" phones very weird. There have been a few over the years and they're always just ginped and overpriced. You pay a relatively large amount of money for a convoluted solution to a problem that is very niche in the first place.