TechRadar Commentary Questions Whether Freckle Phone Can Overcome AI Gadget Curse

The headline states that the Freckle Phone has a kid-friendly name while expressing that Ulanoff is not sure it can overcome the “AI gadget curse.” TechRadar's available text does not include the Freckle Phone's features, price, release date, target age range or technical specifications, nor does it set out Ulanoff's detailed arguments beyond the headline. The report does not say who makes the Freckle Phone or when it might be released.

Ulanoff’s background is extensive. Before joining TechRadar, he served as Editor in Chief of Lifewire. Before that, he was Chief Correspondent for Mashable, where he covered all facets of technology and the intersection of digital and life. He also helped Mashable find new ways to tell stories. He is based in New York. A 38-year industry veteran, he has covered technology since personal computers were the size of suitcases, “on line” meant “waiting” and CPU speeds were measured in single-digit megahertz.

Before joining Mashable as Editor in Chief in 2011, Ulanoff served as Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for Ziff Davis, Inc. In that role, he guided the brand to a 100 percent digital existence and oversaw content strategy for all of Ziff Davis’ websites. His long-running column on PCMag.com earned him a Bronze award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Winmag.com, HomePC.com and PCMag.com were all honored under his guidance.

He makes frequent appearances on national, international and local news programs, including Live with Kelly and Mark, the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNBC, CNN and the BBC. He has also offered commentary on National Public Radio and been interviewed by newspapers and radio stations around the United States. He has been an invited guest speaker at technology conferences including Think Mobile, CEA Line Shows, Digital Life, RoboBusiness, RoboNexus, Business Foresight and Digital Media Wire’s Games and Mobile Forum.

Ulanoff received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Hofstra University in New York. He serves on Hofstra’s School of Communication Advisory Board. In his spare time, he draws cartoons, which he occasionally posts online. He and his wife Linda have been married for more than 30 years and have raised two children.

TechRadar’s report did not provide further details about the Freckle Phone or Ulanoff’s specific reasoning beyond the headline. The publication date listed for the commentary is Sept. 30, 2026.