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Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

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Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#11
post #4

Never had one. Phone carriers haven't invested to have cell coverage in my neighborhood, why should I invest $1000 to have a $100 a month bill?

Can you describe how life is without a smartphone?

I've got two landlines at home. I usually have one if not two tablets in my backpack. Skype is my "mobile" phone plan and works wherever there is WiFi.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#12
Did it for years with no real issues until I wanted to get a dev job. My friend said "you cant walk into a software interview with that" and immediately bought me a used iphone. Having one after a near 6 year break hasnt really bugged me, I think the break let me see them for their benefits and more easily identify negative / compulsive behavior before engaging in it. Also my wife is a lot happier that Im easier to communicate with and Ive been able to take hundreds of priceless photos of my baby without whipping out my canon. Or maybe thats just what Tim Cook wants me to think...

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#13

Here is how you can have a smartphone and enjoy it: - Disable notifications from all applications that are not vital to your life. I enjoy instagram, but notifications are hard-off for me. I check it on my time. - Turn off all sounds, period, only do vibrations - Shift from being pushed information to pulling it. Only check apps, SMS, etc... when you want to check them, not when your phone buzzes or blinks at you. -…

This has been my general approach after doing a very long brick phone break and it seems to work.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#14

Here is how you can have a smartphone and enjoy it: - Disable notifications from all applications that are not vital to your life. I enjoy instagram, but notifications are hard-off for me. I check it on my time. - Turn off all sounds, period, only do vibrations - Shift from being pushed information to pulling it. Only check apps, SMS, etc... when you want to check them, not when your phone buzzes or blinks at you. -…

> - Shift from being pushed information to pulling it. Only check apps, SMS, etc... when you want to check them, not when your phone buzzes or blinks at you. Do you ever find this sometimes makes things worse? I've tried it with specific apps, and I often find myself checking those apps more to make sure I haven't missed anything! With notifications, I feel comfortable that if I haven't been notified, there's nothing…

That just means you have identified a weakness to strengthen through meditation! You are reaching for those apps for a dopamine hit.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#15

Never had one. Phone carriers haven't invested to have cell coverage in my neighborhood, why should I invest $1000 to have a $100 a month bill?

Me too. Never had a smartphone or any type of cell phones.

When I'm out, I only have my bank card, driver's license, car key in my pocket. And a bootable USB stick containing all my working environment.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#17
Used to do this semi-frequently, for years on end. But now it's impossible. Here in China, you need a 'health code' or you can't enter a lot of spaces, including hospitals, transportation services, hotels, etc. You also need 'mobile cash' or people won't transact with you. In short, you are effectively immobile and bankrupt without a phone, and if you were to have an accident you may risk failing to obtain access to appropriate medical services.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#18

I can't answer your question OP, but I'd really like to try going smartwatch-only some day. The things I really need a phone for are directions, making calls, listening to music/podcasts, and occasionally replying to short messages. I should be able to do all of that from a smartwatch. Anything more in-depth can and should wait until I'm at a computer and ready to focus. I would need the right product to come along,…

Not exactly what you're talking about, but I recently got a cellular Apple Watch and I've been trying to have only that with me as much as possible. I can do all the things on your list from it and my distraction plummets whenever I leave my phone at home and just have the watch. But I still maintain the bare minimum of connectivity and conveniences like music/podcasts/calls (with airpods)/texts/gps. Just not having the ability to open a web browser or reddit while having those less distracting essentials is the perfect balance for me.

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#19

Never had one. Phone carriers haven't invested to have cell coverage in my neighborhood, why should I invest $1000 to have a $100 a month bill?

Me too. Never had a smartphone or any type of cell phones. When I'm out, I only have my bank card, driver's license, car key in my pocket. And a bootable USB stick containing all my working environment.

How does you USB stick work? Is it just a Linux ISO or are you able to boot into a system with custom configuration?

Re: Ask HN: How is life without a smartphone?

#20

I can't answer your question OP, but I'd really like to try going smartwatch-only some day. The things I really need a phone for are directions, making calls, listening to music/podcasts, and occasionally replying to short messages. I should be able to do all of that from a smartwatch. Anything more in-depth can and should wait until I'm at a computer and ready to focus. I would need the right product to come along,…

Not exactly what you're talking about, but I recently got a cellular Apple Watch and I've been trying to have only that with me as much as possible. I can do all the things on your list from it and my distraction plummets whenever I leave my phone at home and just have the watch. But I still maintain the bare minimum of connectivity and conveniences like music/podcasts/calls (with airpods)/texts/gps. Just not having…

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