Technologies

Two Phones, Less Distraction? That’s the Pitch for This BlackBerry Lookalike

The Clicks Communicator is designed to help you focus, not to replace your smartphone. It’ll be on display at CES 2026.

Remember BlackBerry phones? Those iconic biscuit-shaped smartphones of the early 2010s with hard plastic buttons placed below simple, low-res touchscreens have inspired the look of a new product from Clicks Technology.

Rather than releasing a new smartphone to compete with the likes of the Apple iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, the Clicks Communicator is designed to be a device that works alongside the smartphone you already own. It’ll be on display at CES 2026 next week.

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With the tagline, «doing, not doomscrolling,» Clicks envisions the Communicator as a kind of back-to-basics smart device focused on communication and work. It says the device essentially pares down all of the distractions that come with today’s large-screen, social media-centric smartphones. Many people have already started carrying a second phone for privacy or to set boundaries, the company said.

The retro-styled Communicator, priced at $499, links up to your main phone so you can get emails and texts on it. To be clear, you still need a separate smartphone for this device to work.

Jeff Gadway, the company’s chief marketing officer, describes the Communicator’s relationship to your smartphone to what a Kindle is to an iPad. «It’s a complementary product that stands on its own, optimized for a specific purpose,» Gadway said in the Friday announcement.

The keyboard is «touch-sensitive,» so users can scroll through messages without using the screen, and the device supports voice recordings. Other features include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a switch for airplane mode, expandable micoSD storage, and a physical SIM tray as well as eSIM compatibility. It has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 24-megapixel front camera.

The Communicator, which has Android 16 installed, is 131.5mm tall and weighs 170 grams.

At launch, the Communicator comes in three muted colors, including onyx. You can also switch out the back of the device for different colors. You can pay a reservation deposit of $199 starting today. Or if you just want to buy one before it comes out at an unspecified date «later this year,» the company is offering a $299 early bird price, which is $100 off the launch price.

Clicks’ Power Keyboard

In addition to the Communicator, Clicks also on Friday announced a keyboard for smartphones that attaches to your regular phone via MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic connection and looks like the bottom half of a BlackBerry, with those same old-school buttons, instead of haptics simulating touch.

The Power Keyboard has a slider that allows it to be attached to smartphones of different sizes, and you can use the keyboard with a smartphone placed either vertically or horizontally above it. The Power Keyboard is also available for preorder today at $79. Availability is expected «in the spring,» the company said.

It can also be paired with a tablet or smart TV as well as AR and VR environments, the company said.

«Power Keyboard brings a consistent, confident typing experience to all your smart devices, in a compact keyboard you can take anywhere in your pocket,» Kevin Michaluk, president of Clicks, said in a statement.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im