Pinwheel, a company known for kid-focused tech, is betting that parents nostalgic for the days of corded family phones will want their children to experience the same. On Tuesday, the company launched Pinwheel Home, a Wi-Fi-enabled landline phone designed for kids aged 5 to 10. Instead of offering apps or internet browsing, the device is built exclusively for voice calls, aiming to provide a communication tool without the pitfalls of a smartphone. Main Developments Pinwheel Home operates over Wi-Fi, removing the need for a traditional phone jack. It comes in two models: the Spark, priced at $68 and available in white, black, blue, and purple, and the Classic, which costs $79 and features a retro-style handset with customizable stickers in pink, black, and white. Parents manage the device through Pinwheel's Caregiver Portal, where they can approve contacts, block unknown callers, spam, and robocalls, and set calling schedules and time limits. Speed dial and voicemail are also included. The company notes that future updates will bring three-way calling and integration with Pinwheel's watches and smartphones, allowing children to use the same phone number across devices. Read also: 4 Reasons Already-Rich Tech Winners Are Returning to the Grind Calls between Pinwheel Home devices are free through the company's Pinwheel Circle service. Families wanting to call standard phone numbers can choose plans starting at $6.99 per month for up to five approved contacts or $9.99 per month for unlimited calling. The device is available now on Pinwheel's website and is expected to launch on Amazon this fall. Background Pinwheel already sells kid-friendly smartphones and launched a smartwatch last year. The company is positioning Pinwheel Home as an introductory phone for children before they are ready for a smartphone. The launch taps into growing parental concerns about screen time, with studies linking excessive use to emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Recent research from the University of Georgia found that children who spend more time on social media tend to show weaker vocabulary development. The device also enters a competitive market of screen-free communication products. It competes with Tin Can, a $100 Wi-Fi-enabled landline that allows parents to manage approved contacts through a companion app. Calls between Tin Can devices are free, and its friends and family plan costs $9.99 per month. Why It Matters Pinwheel Home reflects a broader shift among parents seeking ways to limit children's screen time while still allowing them to stay connected. Countries like Australia have already restricted social media access for children, and the U.K. has announced plans for similar measures. The device offers a controlled calling environment, potentially helping families reduce reliance on smartphones for young children. The launch also highlights a growing market for retro-inspired tech that prioritizes voice communication over digital distractions. By integrating with its existing ecosystem, Pinwheel is creating a unified platform that could make it easier for parents to manage their children's device usage across multiple products. What's Next Pinwheel plans to introduce three-way calling and cross-device integration in future updates, allowing children to use the same phone number across watches, smartphones, and the new landline. The company also expects to launch Pinwheel Home on Amazon this fall, expanding its retail availability. As more governments consider social media restrictions for children, demand for such screen-free communication tools may continue to grow.