HMD, a prominent smartphone manufacturer, is collaborating with Xplora to develop devices aimed at encouraging responsible usage among young users. Renowned for its feature phones, HMD incorporates functionalities such as Detox Mode, which helps ensure that children do not excessively engage with screens.
Currently, it is collaborating with Xplora to ensure a secure and well-rounded introduction of children to the overwhelming digital landscape. This initiative is part of HMD’s Better Phone Project, which was unveiled earlier in 2024. A global survey conducted with 10,000 parents indicated that over 50% of them regretted providing smartphones to their young children or teenagers, citing adverse effects on their sleep, physical activity, social interactions, and family time.
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HMD is developing innovative feature phones tailored to the specific requirements of teenagers and children, aiming to provide improved alternatives. As a well-established brand, HMD’s collaboration with Xplora is expected to generate increased visibility and broaden its market presence.
Together, HMD and Xplora are focused on creating solutions that assist parents in regulating screen time, overseeing children’s social media interactions, and fostering a positive and healthy digital environment for their kids. Additionally, HMD is said to be exploring the creation of not just child-friendly phones, but also smartwatches designed to promote mindful digital habits.
Although exact products haven’t been hinted at, the first batch of products is expected to be showcased at the Mobile World Congress in March 2025.
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Talking about this collaboration, Jean-Francois Baril, CEO and Chairman of HMD says, “We are excited to join forces with Xplora to deliver tech solutions tailored to the unique needs of children and young people. At Human Mobile Devices, putting ‘human’ at the core of everything we do is in our DNA. Our teams oversee the complete development process from software to hardware, ensuring top-tier quality, certification, and security. This allows us to foster a healthy and positive relationship with technology all the essential features, without any unnecessary distractions.”
CEO of Xplora, Sten Kirkbak says, “We are thrilled to collaborate with HMD in our expansion into the youth market. This partnership not only delivers the best possible tech devices for our customers but also expands our products allowing our customers to continue their journey with Xplora beyond the smartwatch stage.”
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Expectations from De-Addiction devices
The anticipated de-addiction devices are designed to include features such as smart home integration, parental control options, and e-SIM capabilities. These functionalities aim to foster healthy digital habits, enabling parents to effectively oversee their children’s screen time and social media engagement.
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