Startups Build Tech to Get People Off Their Phones

In a tech world obsessed with screens and AI, some startups are zigging while everyone else zags. They're creating products that pull people away from their devices and back into the real world.

Brynn Putnam, founder of the fitness tech company Mirror, just secured funding for her latest venture called Board. The startup focuses on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences, not virtual ones.

She's not alone in this movement. Cyberdeck creators are going viral online by building quirky, handmade computers that literally encourage users to go outside and touch grass. These DIY devices blend retro charm with modern functionality, turning computing into something tactile and real.

This isn't just backlash against big tech. People seem genuinely drawn to experiences that feel more human and less algorithmic.

The timing is striking. While Alphabet just raised $80 billion for AI projects and Anthropic filed confidentially for an IPO, these "together tech" founders are moving in the opposite direction. They're building for connection, not algorithms.

The Ripple Effect

This shift hints at something larger brewing in how we think about technology. After years of optimization for engagement and screen time, consumers are showing real appetite for tech that serves human needs differently.

The success of these startups suggests people want balance. We don't need to abandon technology entirely, but we might want it to serve connection rather than replace it.

Even the funding climate reflects this hunger for change. Investors are willing to bet on experiences that bring people together face to face, proving the market sees value beyond the AI gold rush.

The message is clear: the most innovative tech might just be the kind that knows when to get out of the way.