Hands On: Runcible, the Anti-Smartphone

BARCELONA—Runcible, from San Francisco-based design firm Monohm, is easily the most audacious reimagining of the smart, connected device in recent memory.

It's at once a smartphone and the anti-smartphone. It can be an Internet of things (IoT) hub, even if Monohm CEO Aubrey Anderson thinks the IoT is "bulls**t." Runcible is what you make of it, and Anderson wants you to make it your own.

Smartphones are intensely personal devices, and Runcible is even more so. Built to last, evolve, and grow, each Runcible is unique to its owner. At least, that's how Anderson envisions the future for his company. We had a chance to handle an early prototype at this year's Mobile World Congress, where the palm-sized oddity stands out from a sea of super phones.

The idea for Runcible was born out of an aversion to the current state of smartphones. The team at Monohm believes that smartphones demand your attention, and create an environment that can have negative effects on your interactions with the real people and places around you. Anderson describes this state as "peak notification," and believes that Runcible can be our savior from the shackles of push notifications.

The first thing you'll notice is the brazen departure from the world of rectangular smartphones. It's a palm-sized circle with a gently curved backside made from your choice of four woods. Inside you'll find all the trappings of a typical smartphone, including a Qualcomm-made SoC and wireless radios. There's a circular display, but no buttons or even speakers on the device. You can use it as a phone, of course, but you'll need to pair it with a speaker or headphones for that. In that sense, Runcible distills the smartphone to its essence, a device that can keep you connected without the constant need to connect with the device.

Runcible's software is based on Firefox OS, a conscious decision that appears as much philosophical as it is technical. Anderson and team were drawn to the open-source ideals of Mozilla and the speed of development for the Web. But Anderson also hinted at a distaste for alternatives like Google's Android, stating that a device shouldn't need your email address to perform basic tasks.

The backside pops off to reveal the device's internal components, and Anderson says that Runcible will be modular and user serviceable. He describes it as an "heirloom" device that can keep up with technological innovation, swapping out processors or camera modules as needed by its owner. It's also a vehicle for artisans and makers, as Anderson encourages users to create their own backplates, whether it be by carving a piece of wood yourself or 3D printing a new design.

Anderson believes that Runcible will appeal to people who feel overwhelmed by constant notifications and virtual obligations. Whether or not that will prove enough to propel Runcible past the realm of novel idea remains to be seen. Monohm hopes to bring Runcible to retail markets in the later part of 2015, while no pricing details are available at the moment.