Zalpha Mobile (formerly Privo Mobile)

For nearly a year I've been live without a smartphone. Instead I've been using a Zalpha Mobile (formerly Privo Mobile) dumb phone as my only phone. It's mostly been pretty great. My average mobile screen time is 9 minutes a day. But using a dumb phone has definitely been a little strange and caused a few awkward situations and minor annoyances. Reflecting on my adventures in life with a dumb phone and finding old workarounds for modern problems: -Taxis, Uber/Lyft -Sending/receiving money -QR Code Menus

We're changing our name, Privo Mobile is now Zalpha Mobile. New name, same dumb phones for kids. Why Zalpha? Zalpha is sometimes used to refer to the group of kids born at the tail end of Gen Z and the beginning of Gen Alpha (the generation right after Gen Z). The Zalpha kids are in between, and don't quite fit in either group. They are starting to gain more independence but are still just kids. We sell a phone for these Zalpha kids. For those ready for a phone, but not a smartphone, ready for basic communication but not social media, there is an in between solution…that’s the Zalpha way. Read more about our Zalpha Mobile (formerly Privo Mobile) name change below (link in comments).

Since I started Privo Mobile and went all in on dumb phones people often assume one of two things in true: Either that I've always hated/not used social media, or that I personally had a big problem with social media usage. The truth is more complicated and somewhere in between. Reflecting back today on my time off, on, and then off of social media (except LinkedIn) and on being the only kid in high school without a Facebook account.

Our website has a fresh new look. Check it out and stay up to date with the latest on our dumb phones for kids.

Privo Mobile's dumb phones for kids are finally here. Well, sort of. You can order a phone today and receive it this summer. Or if you want it sooner, let me know if you'd like to participate in our beta program. Our phones have no social media, no internet browser, and no app store. Just the basics without all the junk your kids don't need. We like to call it a dumb phone for modern times. Check it out...