News

Reid's Analogue Algorithm
Reid's Analogue Algorithm
Welcome to REALS: A series that shines a light on people doing cool stuff in real life. At SLEKE., our mission is simple: to create technology that inspires deeper engagement... Read more...
Full Throttle: Jeffrey Pang's Road to Kansai All Stars
Full Throttle: Jeffrey Pang's Road to Kansai All Stars
Welcome to REALS: A series that shines a light on people doing cool stuff in real life. At SLEKE., our mission is simple: to create technology that inspires deeper engagement... Read more...
The Origins of a Dumbphone Company
Two weeks ago the SLEKE. team received a support request from a User regarding an issue with their SLEKE. Phone. During the correspondence, the SLEKE. team noticed a link in the User’s email signature. Hmmmmm a personal website you say? Intriguing. After visiting the website, the team wanted to speak with this person further. That’s how SLEKE. met Ali O’Keefe, a multi-talented individual who “stumbled her way into the world of advertising and never quite found her way out.” She has a Substack where she shares her unique perspectives on... Read more...
SLEKE.: NCET's 2025 'Startup of the Year'
Earlier this year, SLEKE. received the "Startup of the Year" award from Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET). The annual NCET Tech Awards honor individuals and companies in Northern Nevada who have significantly contributed to the growth and reputation of the technology community. Nominated by the public and evaluated by a panel of industry experts, this event spotlights the most influential tech companies in Northern Nevada. SLEKE. co-founders Austin & Brennan accepting the NCET "Startup of the Year" Award. The average consumer checks their phone an average of 150... Read more...
The Light Phone III: Light's New Vision for Intentional Tech
In an era where smartphones increasingly resemble digital Swiss Army knives—overstuffed, overstimulating, and omnipresent—the Light Phone III arrives not as a relic, but as a breath of fresh air. For the growing cadre of digital minimalists, this sleek, slate-gray device represents something radical: a tool that connects without consuming. Priced at $799 (or $599 for early adopters), it is neither a nostalgic flip phone nor a stripped-down smartphone, but a meticulously engineered middle path. Light, the company behind it, has carved out an unlikely niche by rejecting Silicon Valley’s “more... Read more...
‘Do Cool Stuff’: The Philosophy Behind SLEKE.
‘Do Cool Stuff’: The Philosophy Behind SLEKE.
“Do Cool Stuff” is a fun little phrase we made up to highlight the joy of doing.  At SLEKE., we believe that life is meant to be experienced fully, in... Read more...
Older and Wiser: Making Tech Work for You. SLEKE. is the Answer!
By: Martyn Boyd (Pre-Release Backer) I’m old enough to remember the emergence of “mobile phones” as we call them in the UK (Cell phones across the Atlantic!) sometime in the mid to late 1980s. I distinctly recall the first time I saw one on the day my late father opened a shop and one of the suppliers had this huge box with an ariel and a handset. Completely impractical (he spent more time trying and failing to get a signal than using it!), yet fascinating and a shape of things to... Read more...
How to Intentionally Engage with the Attention Economy
They say that you are the average of the five people closest to you. It’s equally true that you are the food you eat, the thoughts you think, and the information you consume. While we’ve grown adept at curating our social circles and diets, controlling our information intake too often feels like a Sisyphean task. Content bombards us from every direction: Substack essays, TikTok videos, podcasts, newsletters, and more. This endless stream of information satiates our curiosity, but it also traps us in loops of consumption. It takes us down... Read more...
Jojo and Tinzo’s Book Club Radio
Jojo and Tinzo’s Book Club Radio
Introduction Welcome to REALS: A series that shines a light on people doing cool stuff in the real world. At SLEKE., our mission is simple: to create technology that inspires... Read more...
The Smartphone Battle
I have been in a decade-long battle with smartphones. I’ve always been suspicious of them and the so called “convenience” that they sell. If they were so convenient, why is it that we’ve become so much more reliant on them? Why has screentime gone collectively up and up and up? Shouldn’t devices of convenience actually save us time and allow us to experience the richness of life even more? Well, this has not been my experience. And I suspect most people will admit the same for themselves. It’s true that... Read more...
Our New Look: Neumorphism
Within our most recent firmware update, we updated our look!  Neumorphism, also known as soft UI, is a design trend that emerged in 2019. It combines elements of skeuomorphism and flat design to create a soft, three-dimensional appearance for user interfaces. This style is characterized by subtle shadows and highlights that give the impression of depth and layering, making elements appear as if they are protruding from or embedded within the background. We chose Neumorphism to augment accessibility of our interface and to utilize a design style not widely implemented... Read more...
Pros and Cons of Switching to a Dumbphone / Minimal phone: A Personal Perspective
Before writing this blog I sat down and physically wrote down a pros and cons list of switching to a dumbphone and how it has affected my life. I realize that this list is based on my perspective and personal experiences. We all have our own threshold for the amount of friction we can tolerate, depending on our lifestyles.  Cons: Unusual Frictions Switching to a minimal/dumbphone means you informally agree that your life might have some added frictions. No longer can you access everything, everywhere all at once. This can... Read more...
My Digital Hunger Strike
Written by Paul Currington I’m standing outside a Starbucks looking for the sign that tells me how late they're open. I need a place to sit for a couple hours because I'm working on an essay about how Google has stopped people from asking each other for help. I look all over the door for the hours until I find these words right at knee level: Download our app to find the hours for this location. This is exactly what I am not going to do. I don't need Starbucks... Read more...
SLEKE. Phone: A Minimalist Device That’s Surprisingly Accessible
Written By: Laura Malvoyante Some Helpful Background About Me My name is Laura, a Franco-American content creator based in France. I have low vision (malvoyante) and ADOA, a rare genetically inherited disease. As my vision declined, I decided to take stock of what truly matters in life and what I wanted to dedicate my remaining vision and attention to. I left my job as a social media manager at a leading health tech company to pursue my dream of becoming a content creator. I’m passionate about tech, but I also... Read more...
Why We Use Refurbished Devices
Sustainability  This is our most important reason. The value of minimal phones/ dumbphones relate more to what the software can/cannot do rather than how the hardware looks for functions. We are therefore able to offer OdysseyOS sustainably - by breathing new life into existing hardware. Every day, 416,000 phones are discarded in the US, despite being largely functional. By repurposing refurbished devices, we're extending the life of hardware that would otherwise sit in warehouses or end up in landfills.  The tech industry isn't known for its environmental consciousness - SLEKE.... Read more...
Youth Lament TikTok Ban as a Loss of Genuine Culture, Community, & Authenticity
The debate around a TikTok ban in the U.S. has largely revolved around concerns over national security and the app's addictive nature. However, this focus overlooks a deeper cultural issue: the app's immense popularity among American youth highlights a void in real-life opportunities for community, creativity, and authentic self-expression. TikTok’s success is not just about its algorithm or foreign ownership—it is a reflection of how it has managed to cultivate a unique digital culture that resonates deeply with its users. TikTok’s Unique Culture of Engagement TikTok has distinguished itself by... Read more...
Social Media... it's not all bad, right?
The original vision for social media was simple: connecting people. A digital space where we could share life's moments with family and friends, see their photos, and stay updated on their lives. Yet somehow we've drifted far from that purpose. These days, I find myself scrolling past endless sponsored ads just to catch a glimpse of my friend's new baby photos. The very thing social media was created for seems to have gotten lost in the noise. Original Facebook News Feed (credit: Facebook) Facebook Feed in 2024 (credit: Kevin Arrows)... Read more...
Grace Ryan, Founder of Dollhou3e
Grace Ryan, Founder of Dollhou3e
Welcome to REALS: A series that shines a light on people doing cool stuff in the real world. At SLEKE., our mission is simple: to create technology that inspires deeper... Read more...
How to Make Your Own Dopamine Menu (with Examples)
A dopamine menu is a personally curated list of enjoyable, healthy activities which improve life satisfaction, motivation, and focus. Popularized on social media platforms like TikTok, this approach to healthy mental stimulation categorizes activities into "starters," "main courses," "sides," and "desserts" that people can use to provide a dopamine boost throughout their day.  Originally designed as a tool to help those with ADHD, the dopamine menu is a great method for any person to develop a list of enjoyable, stimulating activities that boost dopamine levels naturally. The Science Behind Dopamine... Read more...
The Screentime Spectrum: What Screentime Tool is Best for You?
In today's digital age, managing screen time has become a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy balance between our virtual and real lives. The solutions people use to moderate their screen time are varied, reflecting the diverse ways we interact with the world with the aid of  technology. From flip phones to screen time apps, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. In this article, we explore the spectrum of solutions people use to address their unique relationship with their screens. The Return of the Flip Phone For some, the simplicity of... Read more...
SLEKE. Hosts Launch Party to Celebrate Opening of its Beta
June 27, 2024 CONTACTS: Austin Boer, Co-Founder: austin@sleke.io, 925-384-8208 Brennan Jordan, Co-Founder: brennan@sleke.io, 775-450-8926 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Photos Available by Request SLEKE. Unveils Reimagined Mobile Phone OS at Launch Event; Now Recruiting Beta Testers, More Information and Sign Up at www.sleke.io Reno, NV - June 27, 2024 - SLEKE., a Reno-based technology startup reimagining mobile phone software for communications and utility, officially unveiled its OdysseyOS at a celebratory launch event in Reno, Nevada last month. The event was held May 4, 2024 at West Street Market, where SLEKE. co-founders... Read more...
Embracing Simplicity: Efficient Dumbphone Revival
In recent years, a growing number of people are ditching their feature-packed smartphones in favor of simpler, more basic "dumbphones." According to The Guardian, this trend is particularly popular among Generation Z, who are increasingly skeptical of the data-harvesting and attention-grabbing nature of modern smartphones. The Rise of Digital Minimalism The rise of digital minimalism is a response to the overwhelming nature of modern technology. Digital minimalism is a philosophy that helps people question what digital tools add the most value to their lives. By intentionally clearing away low-value digital... Read more...