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John's Phone: a minimalist cell phone

johnsphones.com

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Re: John's Phone: a minimalist cell phone

#82
post #15

I've seen them, and they are very annoying. Not having an address book is annoying, and not being able to receive text messages is just frustrating. It's an awesome idea, but not for use in real life.

Perhaps not for use in your life. I'm not a smartphone user and don't do text messages. I really like the idea of this phone because it strips away all the crap that I don't need. Granted, if I did have a smartphone, or was a "power user" of my current phone, then perhaps I'd feel the same way as you do.

Right, but the problem is not so much about me as it is about the rest of the world. Not being able to write messages is fine, but people expect you to be able to receive text messages.

Re: John's Phone: a minimalist cell phone

#83

This is a very good idea executed poorly. SMS has become a way of life and you'll be receiving messages that you can not read, also a paper phonebook requires that you carry a pen with you. Play it again, John, this time with a pager sized (text) display and I'll buy one. edit: added the (text), it does have a display but can't display text messages.

If you want simple SMS, albeit with a retarded UI, check out Motorola F3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_FONE_F3

Isn't this phone pretty terrible for SMS, since it basically uses a calculator style display?

Re: John's Phone: a minimalist cell phone

#87
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where do you find them for that money?

Here is a nokia for 30: http://azerty.nl/producten/product_detail/1058/302405/nokia-... and here a samsung: http://www.pixmania.nl/nl/nl/3598464/art/samsung/e1080.html?... for a little less

I have actually been using a Nokia very similar to that one for over two years... I just went to the T-Mobile store and said "I need to replace my phone, what is the cheapest thing you have?"

I only have to charge it every week or so, and it has lasted longer than any other phone I have had.

Re: John's Phone: a minimalist cell phone

#88
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you want simple SMS, albeit with a retarded UI, check out Motorola F3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_FONE_F3

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw the headline "minimalist phone". The wikipedia page confirms it's not available from Motorola in the US. I'm curious if anyone has had luck using an unlocked one?

They can be eBayed for very reasonable prices. They do function fine with US GSM voice networks. Data is out, obviously.
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