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New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

wsj.com

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Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#21

Post by tyingq »

ergot_vacation wrote: post #13

New? Can't you buy this for $80 at any CVS or Walgreens? "Companies including Nokia Corp. still manufacture “feature phones,” devices that look, feel and operate like the cellphones of the ’00s. But most feature phones still follow a design philosophy of abundance, cramming all the features they can into a limited operating system, said Petter Neby..." Bullshit. They can't get on the Internet, that's what matters. Yo…

If you're in the US, $5 from Tracfone, though it's locked to them. $15/month for unlimited talk/text.

https://shop.tracfone.com/shop/en/tracfonestore/phones/alcat...

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#22

Post by neither_color »

Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

I simply dont have facebook, twitter or tiktok installed on my phone.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#23

Post by potatoman22 »

Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

Perhaps this would be better as an Android ROM than its own phone?

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#24

Post by MrJagil »

avindroth wrote: post #12
spansoa wrote: post #10

I enjoy mindlessly scrolling social media when waiting for the bus. It takes my mind off the banality of doing that. It also makes time go by quicker, which is what you want when waiting for anything . I don't agree with this current wave of demonisation of smartphones. If you want you can flash a Pixel with LineageOS and install a bunch of FOSS apps from F-Droid if you're concerned about privacy.

It’s because people demonise “wasting time”. People take themselves too seriously.

I only bring my apple watch when i go out and leave my phone. I want to look around, collect my thoughts, let my mind wander.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#25

Post by foxpurple »

Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

The Apple Watch is the right form factor for this. You can do almost anything but certain things are so annoying you wouldn’t bother. Voice control is the best way to use it which makes it great for getting directions, making a call or etc. but you wouldn’t consider scrolling reddit on it.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#26

Post by throwawaygh »

Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

> However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok or any social app.

So... don't install those apps?

I guess that's easier said than done. I keep an `/etc/hosts` list of distracting websites (includes HN) and route them all back to my hobby trello task board. Message to myself being, "hey, distractions from work are fine, but wouldn't you rather be working on one of these things than screwing around in a comments section?" And I have a shell script that will wipe a given line of the /etc/hosts for 30 minutes in case I decide "nope, I really do want to screw around in the comments section this time."

Maybe someone should build an app that does something similar -- redirects you when you try to either visit or install fb/twitter/tiktok... not sure if possible without jailbreaking or using an alt app store, though.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#27

Post by Raed667 »

neither_color wrote: post #22
Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

I simply dont have facebook, twitter or tiktok installed on my phone.

You have better self-control than me.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#28

Post by beezischillin »

throwawayboise wrote: post #7

I'd buy one if it could do WiFi calling (I have very poor mobile signal at my house) and hotspot capability so I could use a cheap tablet for maps in the car.

You could call your phone provider and ask them if they offer a signal booster or something like that. I’m in Eastern Europe and if you nag Orange enough about the signal issues at your house they will actually send you a little device you plug into your router and power that provides 4G to nearby phones.

Re: New phone can make calls and send texts, but it cannot access social media

#29

Post by seized »

Raed667 wrote: post #20

I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…

So don't install those things? At some point it isn't the phones problem to limit a user from those things.

I don't have Facebook, Twitter, etc on my phone.

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