The Banana Phone: a handset with appeal

8th May 2017

Indiegogo

Alice Matthews

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While mobile phone giants such as Apple and Samsung prepare the launch of their latest feature-heavy smartphones, certain companies are targeting another market. Have you had enough of incessant text messages, emails and push notifications? A team in San Francisco have developed the Banana Phone with three main goals: ‘talk more, smile more and save gorillas’.

First things first, the Banana Phone is not actually a phone. It is a banana shaped, Bluetooth enabled mobile handset that connects to your smartphone. As a result, for $40 (£31) you can interact with your voice assistant and talk to your friends and family on a banana.

The device is currently still a concept, with Team Banana Phone looking to raise $30,000 (£23,146) via its Indiegogo campaign in order to begin manufacturing in July 2017. As of 8^th May 2017, the project has raised $18,605 (£14,355), so only time will tell whether the concept becomes a reality.

Through its advertising campaign, the company is primarily looking to inject fun into the workplace, but you can also bring the Banana Phone with you on-the-go.

The Banana Phone is very easy to use and is both iOS and Android compatible. Firstly, pair your smartphone with the Banana Phone via Bluetooth. Then pop your smartphone into your bag or on your desk and start making and receiving calls on your Banana Phone. In order to receive calls, click the home button on the handset. Outbound calls are voice activated via Siri or Google Assistant.

The Banana Phone’s built in rechargeable lithium battery boasts a talk time of ten hours and idle time of 70 hours. It is built with 100% recycled ABS plastic and the Qualcomm chipset contains certified conflict free components. The company also claim that it reduces the risk of electromagnetic radiation because it keeps your smartphone away from your head.

As well as providing a fun way to communicate, the company is directing one percent of all sales to the gorilla conservation organisation, Gearing up 4 Gorillas (G4G). G4G claims to be the only UK charity that focuses 100% on the conservation of the mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. G4G provides equipment and funding to the Park to support the rangers whose job it is to protect the gorillas.

It is too early to tell whether the Banana Phone is an elaborate prank or a genuine concept, but it certainly has brought a smile to internet users around the world.