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Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

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Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#41

Post by nullderef »

Difwif wrote: post #39

Ugh another minimal phone that tries to sell me new hardware. I don't think there's anything wrong with current smartphone hardware. What I want is someone to reimagine the OS. My phone should be like a Startrek Tricorder - a very advanced tool that can assist me with anything. The key metric should be how much time it saves me... not how much time I waste using it. What I don't want is spyware, ads, and interactions…

I actually really like that the hardware includes an E-ink screen instead. It makes it really interesting for reading on the go without needing an additional device.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#42

Post by noah91734 »

> Can I use apps on Minimal?

> Yes, Minimal runs on Android, allowing you to download and use essential apps. However, the e-ink display and device optimization are geared towards minimizing unnecessary distractions.

That answers the only question I had about this. You still get full access to every app you need, it just increases the friction (via the low refresh rate and the lack of colors) so you can't doomscroll.

Unfortunately, it does not list Bluetooth among its many wireless features, so I don't think I'd be able to use it. Not having music or podcasts in the car or on a run is a dealbreaker.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#43

Post by jen729w »

Difwif wrote: post #39

Ugh another minimal phone that tries to sell me new hardware. I don't think there's anything wrong with current smartphone hardware. What I want is someone to reimagine the OS. My phone should be like a Startrek Tricorder - a very advanced tool that can assist me with anything. The key metric should be how much time it saves me... not how much time I waste using it. What I don't want is spyware, ads, and interactions…

> What I don't want is spyware, ads, and interactions designed to maximize my engagement.

Turn off notifications.

> Every single blocker app completely sucks

Install 1Blocker (indie dev) and turn on the on-device firewall. Works like magic.

> Screen time on iOS isn't enough

Have more self control. ;-)

> Sometimes I don't have the willpower to overcome the digital crack

But seriously, use Screen Time to disable Safari. Just remove the web browser from your device. Make the Screen Time password something like “i am weak”. It works.

> I've never owned an iPhone

You can 100% get what you want with an iPhone. Just don’t install all the garbage, and if an app is useful but spams you (hi, Uber), turn off its notifications. Use 1Blocker and you’ll never see an ad, not even in-app.

Or do what my partner does: she basically lives in DND mode. Her phone hygiene is exceptional. She scarcely uses it. I never see her using it during the day.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#44

Post by vitalurk »

steelframe wrote: post #25

We need to reverse the trend of most people having a phone that's wired in with Google or Apple. I don't, and I can't tell you how often I try to do something only to be told, "Okay, now download our app and..." It happened just last week when I was buying a car. The sales rep kept insisting that I install the car company's app while I was trying to just write a check, grab the keys, and drive off the lot. "You can u…

It's bewildering to me that you're the weird, odd one for doing this.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#46

Post by bengale »

You can do a lot of this on an iPhone if you use focus modes and automations.

I have a deep work mode that sets a blank Home Screen, turns off always on display, sets the phone to greyscale and only allows notifications from my wife.

It feels like something like this gets you most of the way there and you can then have different focus levels that ramp up potential distractions. All without carrying two devices or giving up the modcons.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#47

Post by garyfirestorm »

jerlam wrote: post #11

Here's the crowdfunding page with more pictures (renders?) and details: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-minimal-phone-first-e... Their estimated shipping date is August 2024, which seems wildly optimistic.

lol more like August 2026

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#48

Post by Syonyk »

steelframe wrote: post #25

We need to reverse the trend of most people having a phone that's wired in with Google or Apple. I don't, and I can't tell you how often I try to do something only to be told, "Okay, now download our app and..." It happened just last week when I was buying a car. The sales rep kept insisting that I install the car company's app while I was trying to just write a check, grab the keys, and drive off the lot. "You can u…

This is a big part of the reason I carry a flip phone. Instead of explaining that your "otherwise smartphone looking thing" can't run Apple or Android apps, I just have to whip out the flip phone, flip it open, flip it closed, and say "Sorry, my phone doesn't have apps."

... even though it's running Android 11 Go and I can sideload stuff, it doesn't matter because the number of apps that work on a 320x240 screen with keyboard input only are "roughly zero." Even if there's no good reason it shouldn't work, nobody tests or designs for that case, so there I am.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#49

Post by mckn1ght »

dorchadas wrote: post #33
ipv6ipv4 wrote: post #27

The best minimal phone is a cellular smart watch.

I'm leaning more and more towards this myself, except for the fact I hate the look of most of them, and love my traditional watches. Maybe I could just keep it in my pocket. But it's ideal for what I want - GPS, WhatsApp, telegram, Spotify.

I’m waiting for the day I can have an Apple Watch without ever needing an iPhone to manage it, and an iPad to do real dev work (ie, Xcode for iPad) without ever having to fall back on a Mac/Book. I’ve been waiting for years already so now I’m not sure those days will ever actually arrive.

Re: Minimal phone gets back to basics with E Ink display and real keyboard

#50

Post by [deleted] »

steelframe wrote: post #25

We need to reverse the trend of most people having a phone that's wired in with Google or Apple. I don't, and I can't tell you how often I try to do something only to be told, "Okay, now download our app and..." It happened just last week when I was buying a car. The sales rep kept insisting that I install the car company's app while I was trying to just write a check, grab the keys, and drive off the lot. "You can u…

[deleted]
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