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Dumber phone

nomasters.io

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Re: Dumber phone

#221

Post by coryfklein »

I've been doing a similar thing almost in parallel with the OP. One thing I found very helpful was to trade in my giant iPhone X for the small iPhone 5s (~$100 on eBay).

The smaller screen decreases overall engagement as well as my likelihood of installing video games during weak moments. Add to that fact that it is slow as molasses, and I only pull it out if I absolutely have to.

Doesn't hurt my wallet either to break the cycle of upgrading to this year's expensive model every couple years.

Re: Dumber phone

#222

Post by coryfklein »

205guy wrote: post #212

I didn't see this mentioned in a quick scan of the comments: no data plan. I originally did this with my wife to save money: 2 AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plans for $160 down to $15 for 2 phones on an MVNO talk+text family plan (both plans had limited minutes, but the MVNO is cheaper for add'l minutes). We use wifi at home and at work, though since I have computers there, I don't find myself connecting on the p…

Maps are the biggest reason I still have a data plan. We even already have a GPS with a giant screen, but when I'm in the middle of nowhere and need to find the nearest gas station/restaurant/whatever, the dedicated GPS is useless.

Even the mere act of inputting an address can be so painful on these GPS models that are so slow, especially because most don't have touch-capacitive screens but rather pressure sensitive ones. Leaning forward to reach it across the dash, it usually registers about 70% of my "key presses".

Re: Dumber phone

#223

Post by ad7024 »

mkaziz wrote: post #186
rthomas6 wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Will there possibly be a way to just buy the app?

I would def feel more comfortable paying for it and having an ironclad guarantee you wouldn't use my data to stay solvent / pay for bankruptcy down the line.

That's the idea :) We welcome your feedback on our privacy policy: http://www.getsiempo.com/app/pp.html

Re: Dumber phone

#224

Post by coryfklein »

adhambadr wrote: post #122

Checkout our phone www.blloc.com . I think its exactly what we thought of, dumbing down the smartphone to the bare essentials without missing out too much. we don't have it perfectly communicated (working on it), but we're trying to find the middle between a "smartphone" and full blown detox. We got inspired from some of our friends who went "dark" and didn't work out; we were as product designers sick of snapchat, g…

What does the percentage figure visible on the app tiles convey?

Re: Dumber phone

#225

Post by serf »

adhambadr wrote: post #122

Checkout our phone www.blloc.com . I think its exactly what we thought of, dumbing down the smartphone to the bare essentials without missing out too much. we don't have it perfectly communicated (working on it), but we're trying to find the middle between a "smartphone" and full blown detox. We got inspired from some of our friends who went "dark" and didn't work out; we were as product designers sick of snapchat, g…

neat phone.

website is totally disjointed at non-standard resolutions, making it very difficult to read.

(i'm using 1200x1920, portrait)

Re: Dumber phone

#226

Post by dingaling »

Fice wrote: post #163
peacetreefrog wrote: post #125

There are a lot of "hacks" in this thread (put your phone in grayscale, put variable reward apps in a folder, turn off fingerprint sensor) but in my experience the mindset is by far the most important part. What's worked for me (and the article talks about this too) is viewing my phone as a tool with a limited set of functionality. For me, that functionality is: calls, texts, Google maps, Spotify, Audible, podcasts,…

For me, one of the big advantages of email (which makes it my preferred electronic communication medium) is that it does not assume immediate reaction. I can read my mail once a day, reply to the messages that need to be replied to, and forget about it until tomorrow. Having email on a phone (especially with notifications enabled) would undermine that advantage.

Conversely I use phone-based e-mail as the primary form of communication on my phone because (1) SMS messages are expensive on PAYG plans and (2) the other party doesn't have yo consider where I am and what channel they need to reach me

Re: Dumber phone

#227

Post by jackson1way »

gambiting wrote: post #213
205guy wrote: post #212

I didn't see this mentioned in a quick scan of the comments: no data plan. I originally did this with my wife to save money: 2 AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plans for $160 down to $15 for 2 phones on an MVNO talk+text family plan (both plans had limited minutes, but the MVNO is cheaper for add'l minutes). We use wifi at home and at work, though since I have computers there, I don't find myself connecting on the p…

Assuming you are on Android - you can download maps for offline viewing when you are on wifi, just select an area and that portion of the map will be stored for offline use.

That works on Google Maps for iOS too and I do it for all devices.

On android the reminders are super annoying: Your offline maps will expire in x days, please update! You can disable it, but it took me a while. Totally useless. Just update them when it's time and STFU.

Re: Dumber phone

#228

Post by santoriv »

Well, about a year ago I ditched my smartphone for a dumb phone, and the effect of my mental health has been pretty positive. I still engage with the internet way too much through my computer, but I feel like I live a bit more in the "real world" than I did before I got rid of my smartphone. The internet is no longer an omnipresent for me. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that everyone gets rid of their smartphones though as it's not really a problem for some people.

Re: Dumber phone

#229

Post by e40 »

peacetreefrog wrote: post #125

There are a lot of "hacks" in this thread (put your phone in grayscale, put variable reward apps in a folder, turn off fingerprint sensor) but in my experience the mindset is by far the most important part. What's worked for me (and the article talks about this too) is viewing my phone as a tool with a limited set of functionality. For me, that functionality is: calls, texts, Google maps, Spotify, Audible, podcasts,…

I'm older than most of you here. I'm constantly amazed at the lack of self control related to phones. I do exactly as you said, use my phone as a tool. Walking to work and think of something I don't want to forget? Whip out the phone and write myself an email. At home on a weekend and I'm in offline mode? DnD turned on until the alarm on my phone the next morning. I never feel like my phone is controlling my behavior or that I am a slave to it. Perhaps it's because I was able to grow up in a world without it. Dunno.

Re: Dumber phone

#230

Post by dingaling »

MikkoFinell wrote: post #50
craftyguy wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A coworker of mine recently picked up a Nokia 3310[1] for that exact same reason/purpose. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_3310_(2017)

Just ordered one! "Smartphone" going in the bin.

Possibly too late but make sure you buy the latest 3G-enabled version. The 2017 initial release could only connect to 2G networks.
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