Pinwheel launches kid-friendly smartphones with parental controls and curated apps

Pinwheel offers kid-friendly smartphones starting at $100, featuring parental controls and a curated app store. However, users must also pay for a mobile data plan and a subscription, which costs $50 quarterly or $175 yearly. Setting up the Pinwheel phone can be challenging, as it arrives without a SIM card. The device is unlocked and compatible with major carriers, but users need to activate a separate data plan. The Caregiver Portal allows parents to manage contacts and monitor usage. While the phone provides educational apps and a kid-friendly AI chatbot, the setup process can be slow. The author suggests that a smartphone may be too advanced for an 8-year-old, recommending Pinwheel for children over 10 who can handle devices more responsibly.