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The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

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11–20 of 79 posts

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#12
iPhone is already dumb. It's a toy that's not within the control of its user, and Android is only marginally better. I'm using GNU/Linux on my phone and while it offers me the power of a full unrestricted computing device in my pocket, it only ever distracts me with things I explicitly opted into. Despite of some of its shortcomings, it really ends up being a much calmer and more usable experience overall.

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#13

I've uninstalled all social media, which is the main notifications hook. I really think the power of apps is in notifications, and it's best to cut them out. If I want to see a Tweet or a Facebook post, probably because someone I know on Whatsapp sent me it, I'll use the website. I don't want to be dragged in by notifications. Anyone else the same?

[deleted]

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#14

Why is it impossible to reduce color saturation on all apple products? I still like a slight hint of color context but don't want these CASINO looking MacOS and iOS experiences.

On iOS, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Greyscale and then adjust the intensity level as needed. I think that's what you're asking for? I don't know how to do it on macOS but I'm sure if it's possible, Google knows

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#15

I've uninstalled all social media, which is the main notifications hook. I really think the power of apps is in notifications, and it's best to cut them out. If I want to see a Tweet or a Facebook post, probably because someone I know on Whatsapp sent me it, I'll use the website. I don't want to be dragged in by notifications. Anyone else the same?

Save a hacker news app (Hacki), I am the same way. HN doesn’t have the same addiction cycle that Twitter does for me, so I uninstalled the Twitter app from my phone and only use the site.

I still find myself scrolling on Twitter longer than I wish I would, but usually after about 5 mins of scrolling, I encounter some bugginess that snaps me out of the loop and helps me question whether or not I really want to be spending my time on the site.

What’s funny is that the bugginess is intentional to try to make you download the app, but it has the opposite effect for me.

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#16
post #5

When the tool is too powerful for our capacities of self-control, maybe some people should roll back to the was things were before. - a simple phone with SMS - a desk computer in the living room for internet and email, shared between everyone - a camera - an ebook reader (or just books and newspaper)

Maybe a map for navigation. And banking apps. Music player.

I have multiple iPods and it’s a shame I can’t use them with subscription services. It’s too expensive to buy all the music I like because it’s just the perfect use case. You highlight 2 important use case though that are almost impossible to have without a smartphone (but an alternative can be done on the desktop computer and the map with a paper map). They are just the collateral because it’s not those that cause addiction …

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#17

The grayscale suggestion is pretty interesting. I was skeptical it would make any difference, but I tried it and my home screen instantly felt more calming to look at at. It seems like we really underestimate how much visual complexity exhausts us. Not sure how long I'll keep it like that, but I think I'll leave it for now as I've been trying to minimize my phone for a while now (biggest difference was removing socia…

I have only 4 apps on my home screen —- calendar, phone, camera and Safari.

I deleted all social media apps years ago.

I’m doing fine most days.

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#18
I have in my backlogs of projects (one day I will have time for them...) an extreme "dumb smartphone".

I want to have maps, whatsapp, chatgpt, a document scanner, my banking app, a guitar tuner... these are tools.

So I need both an app whitelist (there are only so many apps that I actually use on my phone) and a website blacklist (no more HN, reddit, twitter, facebook, news websites, etc). I can use those on my computer but it won't be a mindless scroll whenever I have 5 minutes.

Unfortunately I don't think this is feasible on iOS (I have tried Opal but it was so buggy I gave up). A custom Android launcher seems promising, but I have not found how to install a system wide firewall yet. Maybe creating a custom Android OS is the only way to have enough control?

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#19

I've uninstalled all social media, which is the main notifications hook. I really think the power of apps is in notifications, and it's best to cut them out. If I want to see a Tweet or a Facebook post, probably because someone I know on Whatsapp sent me it, I'll use the website. I don't want to be dragged in by notifications. Anyone else the same?

Yes. Additionally, am not notified by messaging only phone calls.

Re: The science behind an iPhone dumb phone

#20

I've uninstalled all social media, which is the main notifications hook. I really think the power of apps is in notifications, and it's best to cut them out. If I want to see a Tweet or a Facebook post, probably because someone I know on Whatsapp sent me it, I'll use the website. I don't want to be dragged in by notifications. Anyone else the same?

Agree 100%! It's really annoying how games (yeah, I confess, I installed a "free-to-play" game recently, I should have known better) and over-gamified apps (looking at you Duolingo) want to "engage" you by flooding you with notifications. "You're back at full hearts, use Duolingo now!" "Only 00:59 left to continue your streak!" (with a live countdown in the notification no less) and so on...
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