2831: xkcd Phone Flip - Revision history

82.132.238.40: Four CNs added in quick succession is overkill and devrades the joke. Couldn't decide which was 'best' to perhaps keep.

2026-03-11T14:22:32Z

Four CNs added in quick succession is overkill and devrades the joke. Couldn't decide which was 'best' to perhaps keep.

152.26.89.220: /* Right column features */

2026-03-11T13:42:27Z

‎Right column features

152.26.89.220: /* Left column features */

2026-03-11T13:39:33Z

‎Left column features

2A00:23C8:3357:C401:399E:70A6:4348:AA59: /* Explanation */ Removing unnecessary implication of doubt

2025-06-30T16:33:55Z

‎Explanation: Removing unnecessary implication of doubt

172.70.160.253: Undo revision 369948 by Bb777 (talk) Not relevent here, described elsewhere.

2025-03-24T09:55:44Z

Undo revision 369948 by Bb777 (talk) Not relevent here, described elsewhere.

Bb777: /* Right column features */

2025-03-24T02:02:26Z

‎Right column features

Xurkitree10: /* Transcript */

2024-10-27T05:29:16Z

‎Transcript

172.70.85.103: /* Explanation */ punc

2024-09-23T20:33:04Z

‎Explanation: punc

Pego: added a {{Citation needed}} to the statement that stars last longer then phone batteries

2024-09-23T17:59:34Z

added a {{Citation needed}} to the statement that stars last longer then phone batteries

Jkshapiro: /* Explanation */ Fix typo

2024-08-09T01:07:44Z

‎Explanation: Fix typo

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ; Full-spectrum backlight optimized for plant growth
-: {{w|Full-spectrum light}}s and backlights are typically used to increase {{w|color rendering}} accuracy, especially important in photography, art, and printing.  It typically refers to the part of the spectrum people can see.  Plants respond to some wavelengths outside our visual spectrum (e.g., UVA), and are less influenced by some portions of the visual spectrum (e.g. green, hence mostly reflecting such light).  A backlight optimized for plant growth would not provide a very natural appearance to our eyes and typically appear pink.  The screen backlight is unlikely to be used for growing plants.{{Citation needed}}  One scenario in which this would be an advantage is at the end of the phone's useful life; instead of being recycled, it could be repurposed as a light in a greenhouse.
+: {{w|Full-spectrum light}}s and backlights are typically used to increase {{w|color rendering}} accuracy, especially important in photography, art, and printing.  It typically refers to the part of the spectrum people can see.  Plants respond to some wavelengths outside our visual spectrum (e.g., UVA), and are less influenced by some portions of the visual spectrum (e.g. green, hence mostly reflecting such light).  A backlight optimized for plant growth would not provide a very natural appearance to our eyes and typically appear pink.  The screen backlight is unlikely to be used for growing plants.  One scenario in which this would be an advantage is at the end of the phone's useful life; instead of being recycled, it could be repurposed as a light in a greenhouse.
 ; Long-lasting main sequence battery
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ; Break glass to access apps
-: A play on how emergency paraphernalia such as fire alarms and extinguishers are protected by glass casings in most places. The idea of this is to discourage removal of these items except in an emergency situation. It would not be helpful in the case of smartphone apps,{{Citation needed}} which are frequently used. Presumably you would have to replace the glass each time you use an app, which is likely to prove tedious and expensive. Unusual things behind glass is also mentioned in [[1634: In Case of Emergency]]. Could also refer to the process of Jailbreaking a smartphone, such as an iPhone, to allow the install of 3rd party apps from an alternate app store.
+: A play on how emergency paraphernalia such as fire alarms and extinguishers are protected by glass casings in most places. The idea of this is to discourage removal of these items except in an emergency situation. It would not be helpful in the case of smartphone apps, which are frequently used. Presumably you would have to replace the glass each time you use an app, which is likely to prove tedious and expensive. Unusual things behind glass is also mentioned in [[1634: In Case of Emergency]]. Could also refer to the process of Jailbreaking a smartphone, such as an iPhone, to allow the install of 3rd party apps from an alternate app store.
 ===Right column features===
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ; Bending phone activates chemical flashlight
-: This feature parallels a {{w|glow stick}}, which is also activated by bending the stick; this breaks an inner capsule causing chemicals to mix and produce light. However, doing this with a phone is likely to cause physical or chemical damage and additionally only works once, which is not very useful for a phone flashlight that one typically uses as a tool throughout the phone's lifetime.{{Citation needed}} It might be fun at a rave though.
+: This feature parallels a {{w|glow stick}}, which is also activated by bending the stick; this breaks an inner capsule causing chemicals to mix and produce light. However, doing this with a phone is likely to cause physical or chemical damage and additionally only works once, which is not very useful for a phone flashlight that one typically uses as a tool throughout the phone's lifetime. It might be fun at a rave though.
 ; SPF 15 coating protects your face from websites
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ; National Weather Service partnership - phone is afraid of thunder
-: Probably a reference to the development of various public service systems which generate an alert to phone users to warn of likely dangerous events, such as storms, earthquakes, etc. In this case, though, rather than generate fear in the user, the phone itself becomes afraid. This may be further referencing the fact that, thanks to humanized personal assistant functions, some people have developed pseudo-human relationships with their devices, whereby they attribute emotions and other human characteristics to them. In reality, phones do not have emotions{{Citation needed}} (yet), but even if they did, it's not clear how this would be a useful feature. How this fear manifests is also unexplained. It may turn off, or it may scream like the original xkcd phone did when in free fall. A number<!-- I've not yet counted how many, but it's definitely a number! ;) --> of the previous xkcd phones have had unexplained, inexplicable, or incomprehensible partnerships.
+: Probably a reference to the development of various public service systems which generate an alert to phone users to warn of likely dangerous events, such as storms, earthquakes, etc. In this case, though, rather than generate fear in the user, the phone itself becomes afraid. This may be further referencing the fact that, thanks to humanized personal assistant functions, some people have developed pseudo-human relationships with their devices, whereby they attribute emotions and other human characteristics to them. In reality, phones do not have emotions (yet), but even if they did, it's not clear how this would be a useful feature. How this fear manifests is also unexplained. It may turn off, or it may scream like the original xkcd phone did when in free fall. A number<!-- I've not yet counted how many, but it's definitely a number! ;) --> of the previous xkcd phones have had unexplained, inexplicable, or incomprehensible partnerships.
 ; One-click ''ruina montium''

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ; Bending phone activates chemical flashlight
-: This feature parallels a {{w|glow stick}}, which is also activated by bending the stick; this breaks an inner capsule causing chemicals to mix and produce light. However, doing this with a phone is likely to cause physical or chemical damage and additionally only works once, which is not very useful for a phone flashlight that one typically uses as a tool throughout the phone's lifetime. It might be fun at a rave though.
+: This feature parallels a {{w|glow stick}}, which is also activated by bending the stick; this breaks an inner capsule causing chemicals to mix and produce light. However, doing this with a phone is likely to cause physical or chemical damage and additionally only works once, which is not very useful for a phone flashlight that one typically uses as a tool throughout the phone's lifetime.{{Citation needed}} It might be fun at a rave though.
 ; SPF 15 coating protects your face from websites
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ; National Weather Service partnership - phone is afraid of thunder
-: Probably a reference to the development of various public service systems which generate an alert to phone users to warn of likely dangerous events, such as storms, earthquakes, etc. In this case, though, rather than generate fear in the user, the phone itself becomes afraid. This may be further referencing the fact that, thanks to humanized personal assistant functions, some people have developed pseudo-human relationships with their devices, whereby they attribute emotions and other human characteristics to them. In reality, phones do not have emotions (yet), but even if they did, it's not clear how this would be a useful feature. How this fear manifests is also unexplained. It may turn off, or it may scream like the original xkcd phone did when in free fall. A number<!-- I've not yet counted how many, but it's definitely a number! ;) --> of the previous xkcd phones have had unexplained, inexplicable, or incomprehensible partnerships.
+: Probably a reference to the development of various public service systems which generate an alert to phone users to warn of likely dangerous events, such as storms, earthquakes, etc. In this case, though, rather than generate fear in the user, the phone itself becomes afraid. This may be further referencing the fact that, thanks to humanized personal assistant functions, some people have developed pseudo-human relationships with their devices, whereby they attribute emotions and other human characteristics to them. In reality, phones do not have emotions{{Citation needed}} (yet), but even if they did, it's not clear how this would be a useful feature. How this fear manifests is also unexplained. It may turn off, or it may scream like the original xkcd phone did when in free fall. A number<!-- I've not yet counted how many, but it's definitely a number! ;) --> of the previous xkcd phones have had unexplained, inexplicable, or incomprehensible partnerships.
 ; One-click ''ruina montium''

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ; Full-spectrum backlight optimized for plant growth
-: {{w|Full-spectrum light}}s and backlights are typically used to increase {{w|color rendering}} accuracy, especially important in photography, art, and printing.  It typically refers to the part of the spectrum people can see.  Plants respond to some wavelengths outside our visual spectrum (e.g., UVA), and are less influenced by some portions of the visual spectrum (e.g. green, hence mostly reflecting such light).  A backlight optimized for plant growth would not provide a very natural appearance to our eyes and typically appear pink.  The screen backlight is unlikely to be used for growing plants.  One scenario in which this would be an advantage is at the end of the phone's useful life; instead of being recycled, it could be repurposed as a light in a greenhouse.
+: {{w|Full-spectrum light}}s and backlights are typically used to increase {{w|color rendering}} accuracy, especially important in photography, art, and printing.  It typically refers to the part of the spectrum people can see.  Plants respond to some wavelengths outside our visual spectrum (e.g., UVA), and are less influenced by some portions of the visual spectrum (e.g. green, hence mostly reflecting such light).  A backlight optimized for plant growth would not provide a very natural appearance to our eyes and typically appear pink.  The screen backlight is unlikely to be used for growing plants.{{Citation needed}}  One scenario in which this would be an advantage is at the end of the phone's useful life; instead of being recycled, it could be repurposed as a light in a greenhouse.
 ; Long-lasting main sequence battery
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ; Break glass to access apps
-: A play on how emergency paraphernalia such as fire alarms and extinguishers are protected by glass casings in most places. The idea of this is to discourage removal of these items except in an emergency situation. It would not be helpful in the case of smartphone apps, which are frequently used. Presumably you would have to replace the glass each time you use an app, which is likely to prove tedious and expensive. Unusual things behind glass is also mentioned in [[1634: In Case of Emergency]]. Could also refer to the process of Jailbreaking a smartphone, such as an iPhone, to allow the install of 3rd party apps from an alternate app store.
+: A play on how emergency paraphernalia such as fire alarms and extinguishers are protected by glass casings in most places. The idea of this is to discourage removal of these items except in an emergency situation. It would not be helpful in the case of smartphone apps,{{Citation needed}} which are frequently used. Presumably you would have to replace the glass each time you use an app, which is likely to prove tedious and expensive. Unusual things behind glass is also mentioned in [[1634: In Case of Emergency]]. Could also refer to the process of Jailbreaking a smartphone, such as an iPhone, to allow the install of 3rd party apps from an alternate app store.
 ===Right column features===

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 ; Long-lasting main sequence battery
-: Perhaps referring to a "{{w|main sequence}}" star (Dwarf stars, like the {{w|Sun}}, where main energy generation is hydrogen fusion). Such stars spend a long time in this phase of evolution.  This might also explain SPF 15 and full-spectrum backlight.  Stars do last a long time compared to most cell phone batteries.{{Citation needed}} This feature might be a reference to [[1422: My Phone is Dying]].
+: Referring to a "{{w|main sequence}}" star (Dwarf stars, like the {{w|Sun}}, where main energy generation is hydrogen fusion). Such stars spend a long time in this phase of evolution.  This might also explain SPF 15 and full-spectrum backlight.  Stars do last a long time compared to most cell phone batteries.{{Citation needed}} This feature might be a reference to [[1422: My Phone is Dying]].
 ; Break glass to access apps

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:55, 24 March 2025
Line 46:		Line 46:

	===Right column features===		===Right column features===
−	~~In the right column, the phones are folded into fortune tellers.~~

	; Buy one get one		; Buy one get one

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:02, 24 March 2025
Line 46:		Line 46:

	===Right column features===		===Right column features===
		+	In the right column, the phones are folded into fortune tellers.

	; Buy one get one		; Buy one get one

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 ==Transcript==
 :[A rectangular phone with a touch screen. There is a small dark camera section at the top of the screen and a charging/connecting port may be shown on the lower casing edge. Lines on the left side of the phone lead from the general area of the image to feature descriptions down the leftmost edge of the frame.]
 :Exfoliating screen

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-This is the 9th in the ongoing [[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd Phone]] series in which Randall explains his new joke phone designs with many strange and useless features. It is a reference to the somewhat recent {{w|Galaxy Z}} series, but instead of folding in half, it folds into the more complex and much less usable shape of a typical {{w|paper fortune teller}}. (A traditional paper fortune teller requires a square-shaped piece of material; to make this phone with a ~2:1 ratio rectangular shape into a fortune teller, it would first need to be folded in half lengthswise.)
+This is the 9th in the ongoing [[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd Phone]] series in which Randall explains his new joke phone designs with many strange and useless features. It is a reference to the somewhat recent {{w|Galaxy Z}} series, but instead of folding in half, it folds into the more complex and much less usable shape of a typical {{w|paper fortune teller}}. (A traditional paper fortune teller requires a square-shaped piece of material; to make this phone with a ~2:1 ratio rectangular shape into a fortune teller, it would first need to be folded in half lengthwise.)
 The product's slogan suggests that this was not an intended feature, which would be incredibly difficult to create accidentally without causing the phone to become nonfunctional. It's therefore possible that this phone was designed by [[:Category:Beret Guy's Business|Beret Guy's company]], which has in the past [[1493: Meeting|trademarked seemingly normal phrases]] and [[1293: Job Interview|done impossible things with electronics]].