...Hm. An apocalyptic event sounds more than a little interesting in itself, but also for the timing of it; it happened only weeks before Interlopers began to appear? That seems far too coincidental not to be related.

But he's distracted from that--and from the issue of electronics in general--by the sight of Kate's phone, which he's never seen anything like before. The word 'phone' almost means something to him, but not quite enough to be sure he's even heard it before, let alone place what it means in this context. But surely Kate's used to this sort of thing if she lives with the lieutenants, so he doesn't overthink just asking, "What is it for?"