5mo ago
What’s old is new again (with parental controls). I got Tin Can for my kids (ages 6 and 8) for Christmas and upgraded to the $9.99/month Party Plan so they could call grandparents and other family members who don’t have smartphones. Their immediate instinct was to start dialing random numbers and doing prank calls — which is exactly where Tin Can shines. They can only call approved numbers, and that restriction is really the value here. The first call my older child made to a grandparent was incredibly sweet and focused. Unlike FaceTime, there were no filters, no staring at themselves, no distractions — just an actual conversation. That alone made it feel worth it. Is it a little gimmicky and buggy? Yes. Is the physical phone itself kind of mediocre? Also yes (though I assume it’ll improve). But I love the idea of a restricted landline. A friend with a traditional landline had to disconnect it because of nonstop telemarketers, so the parental controls are clearly what you’re paying for. Overall, it feels like a thoughtful, modern take on something old-school — and I’m excited to have it in our house.
