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Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

nytimes.com

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Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#21

Post by ocdtrekkie »

I have strongly considered this. I'm on a Windows Mobile device right now, and as long as security updates keep coming monthly, I'll stay here, but eventually I am going to need a new solution.

Android is an unacceptable security risk, and I am not super fond of Apple or their limits. I was considering switching wholly to an LTE-enabled Windows tablet (I have a Surface, but I've been eyeing a Latitude) and then just getting a dumbphone for phone calls and texts.

As a Windows Mobile user, I've actually found not having the latest of every app available on my phone kind of refreshing. Other people seem annoyed I can't join them on the latest app, but it's a perfect excuse not to download said app.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#22

Post by alchemism »

dman wrote: post #8
alchemism wrote: post #6

I've just abandoned using a smartphone in favor of a $20 dumb Alcatel phone that can only do three things: calls, alarms, and an FM radio. It doesn't even vibrate. I offloaded every other functional use into my tablet, in this case an iPad Pro. The phone battery lasts for days on standby; I can drain my tablet battery without concern. I can leave the tablet at home if I want to stay light or if I want to stay focused…

What do you do for navigation? (Thats literally the only feature keeping me with a smart phone right now).

I have a prepaid metered data plan on the tablet, and I carefully whitelisted applications for cellular data use. I use navigation with offline maps when possible, and chat apps set to only push text. Most everything else runs wifi-only.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#23

Post by phil248 »

The article uses the word "phone" about 40 times. Based on my own usage patterns, I don't even have a phone. I have a portable computer. I happen to use it to make phone calls a few times every week. I use my desktop to make video calls a few times a month, but I don't call that a phone.

We all know a smartphone is a computer, and I'm not trying to be pedantic about the words we use, but I think our insistence that these devices are "phones" is skewing the conversation. We keep complaining about our phones taking up too much of our time, or distracting us, or manipulating us. None of our phones are doing any of those things. But it turns out that having an internet-enabled computer in your pocket at all times can be very distracting. Are we really surprised?

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#24

Post by pishpash »

alchemism wrote: post #6

I've just abandoned using a smartphone in favor of a $20 dumb Alcatel phone that can only do three things: calls, alarms, and an FM radio. It doesn't even vibrate. I offloaded every other functional use into my tablet, in this case an iPad Pro. The phone battery lasts for days on standby; I can drain my tablet battery without concern. I can leave the tablet at home if I want to stay light or if I want to stay focused…

You can also uninstall apps/turn off their data. A smart phone can be dumbed down.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#25

Post by newbie912 »

Spearchucker wrote: post #7
lolive wrote: post #3

The phone is not smart or dumb. The user is.

I just moved to Android this week, after 9 years on Windows Phone. Android is making me feel very, very stupid indeed.

Still on Windows Phone. Their inability to create a 3rd mobile ecosystem gives me all the smart features I want without the cost of apple or the dark patterns of android. Not that they didn't try... I know it won't last forever, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#26

Post by SamReidHughes »

ctrl-j wrote: post #19
rubidium wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP, but can answer. What everyone used to do.

Get lost and have to stop/call for directions? Abandoning modern technology doesn't seem like the better alternative in this case.

Spend a few minutes looking at a map before the trip?

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#27

Post by laurent123456 »

alchemism wrote: post #6

I've just abandoned using a smartphone in favor of a $20 dumb Alcatel phone that can only do three things: calls, alarms, and an FM radio. It doesn't even vibrate. I offloaded every other functional use into my tablet, in this case an iPad Pro. The phone battery lasts for days on standby; I can drain my tablet battery without concern. I can leave the tablet at home if I want to stay light or if I want to stay focused…

Doesn't it mean you now have two devices to carry around instead of one? I used to have one regular phone for calls, SMS, and one iPod for calendars, notes, etc. Now I have two in one in my smartphone which I find way more convenient. Charging's not an issue and if I want to stay focused I just turn it off.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#28

Post by kleiba »

ctrl-j wrote: post #19
rubidium wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP, but can answer. What everyone used to do.

Get lost and have to stop/call for directions? Abandoning modern technology doesn't seem like the better alternative in this case.

First of all, not having a GPS does not automatically imply getting lost. People used to be able to navigate just fine most of the time before that technology was available.

And then, what's wrong with asking someone for directions? I've been asked many times in the olden days and never once was it an unpleasant experience.

Re: Is a Dumber Phone a Better Phone?

#30

Post by alchemism »

danbolt wrote: post #11
dman wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you do for navigation? (Thats literally the only feature keeping me with a smart phone right now).

Part of me wonders if the parent poster has an inexpensive data plan for the tablet? I'd be tempted to do something like that, actually.

Yes, exactly. A small amount of prepaid data, which does not expire.
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