Dumb Co launches flip phone that syncs with smartphones to reduce screen time

Startup Dumb Co, founded by a former therapist, has released a flip phone that runs apps like WhatsApp and Spotify while syncing with a user's smartphone.

• Lydia Peabody left her career as a licensed therapist to become founding CMO of Dumb Co after participating in the Month Offline challenge.
• Dumb Co sells the Dumb Phone, a modified TCL flip phone running custom software that allows access to apps like WhatsApp, Spotify, Apple Music, and Uber.
• The Dumb Phone syncs with a smartphone for call and text forwarding, which users can turn off, according to communications director Afreka Ebanks.
• Peabody said she experienced reduced anxiety after switching to a flip phone and compared her smartphone dependence to a Juul addiction.