Most of us don't need a landline anymore— 41 percent of Americans no longer have one. But along with that old-fashioned ringer went a straightforward way to communicate, one that didn't require tech know-how or parental controls. A new startup called Insensi wants to bring back some of that ease of use, with a communication device that combines the simplicity of a landline with the beauty of a touchscreen tablet.

Called Ily, the $199 device is part of a growing number of gadgets seeking to become a family's communication hub. Bloom, another such (Google Ventures–backed) device, launched last week, and like Ily, its founders want to consolidate where and how families stay in touch. Bloom is slightly more involved, and includes a wrist-worn device that can automatically share photos. With Ily, everything either happens on the device, or via a mobile app. It lets users make traditional phone calls, but it also allows for video chat, messaging, and sending finger-drawn doodles (similar to the Apple Watch's touch-to-touch sketching feature). And it's plugged into one place, so just like an old landline, it won't get lost and doesn't need to charge.