I use Niagara Launcher which is a very simple Android launcher. Then I've set up my phone though Family link with my wife as my "parent" so that I need to ask her permission when I want to install a new app, and when I want to use apps like YouTube for more than 15 minutes per day. It's kind of a dumb system but it works for me.
The Quest for a Dumber Phone
101–110 of 204 posts
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#102The problem with trying to replace a smartphone with a dumbphone is that most people (young people at least) don't use calling and texting anymore unless forced to. I'd rather have something in between a laptop and a smartphone that is designed to be comfortable for carrying around in a small bag or pocket, but that also has a physical keyboard and is designed to be used productively for programming or writing for ex…
>I'd rather have something in between a laptop and a smartphone that is designed to be comfortable for carrying around in a small bag or pocket, but that also has a physical keyboard and is designed to be used productively for programming or writing for example. Something like what? A small laptop is little more than a display attached to a thin keyboard. I'm not sure how you'd get something much smaller while retain…
It looks like palmtop or haldheld pc's are the formfactor that is being described.
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#103I use Niagara Launcher which is a very simple Android launcher. Then I've set up my phone though Family link with my wife as my "parent" so that I need to ask her permission when I want to install a new app, and when I want to use apps like YouTube for more than 15 minutes per day. It's kind of a dumb system but it works for me.
Doesnt matter what the system is if it works.
You've introduced just enough friction to disrupt the habits you want to break without bricking your device like some other commenters have.
I try to keep friction in my life for other habits I don't want to develop (don't keep alcohol or junk food at home, keep credit card in a specific drawer to limit impulse spending).
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#104Needs: NFC (pay) + GPS.
Punkt mp02 + prepaid contactless debit card. Cut out chip + antenna from card and glue to inside of battery cover.
The above is the best dumb phone at m. Apple pay ux + signal (pigeon) + no ui-based app distractions.
For GPS best bet is to get a puck for the car or go whole hog and rock a smartwatch % payments
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#105I tried the Light Phone II but found it too limiting. While they did an admirable job trying to get functionality like maps usable it wasn't practical enough overall. Currently using the Unihertz Titan Pocket with the minimalist phone launcher as my daily driver.
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#106I've posted this here before, but I've figured out a way that makes an iPhone work as a semi-smart phone for me. I delete all app that I waste time in, but keep one that are useful. (I won't blow two hours scrolling Lyft, and it's very helpful sometimes) I then set screentime permissions to block websites I don't want to use (like reddit), and prevent app downloads. I set a screentime password and give it to my partn…
I did the same thing this New Years. Blocked email, safari, all non-important applications. Kept things like: message, fb messenger, fitbit, camera, etc. If I really need to know the answer to something, I will ask Siri. And most things I just add to my to-do list for looking up the information later. It's been great!
why block email but not messenger?
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#107Earlier quoted context omitted.
> luxury item (and an expensive monthly service bill) Before applying any subsidies for low income people, you can get a perfectly usable smartphone for under $40 and unlimited data cell service (slow but usable for basic tasks) for $10/month. An iPhone, with service, can be had for a total of under $50/month. These aren't luxury items anymore.
They should not be required for anything either.
Neither should a bank account, or a car, or weather-appropriate clothes, but they can be pretty damn handy.
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#108The problem with trying to replace a smartphone with a dumbphone is that most people (young people at least) don't use calling and texting anymore unless forced to. I'd rather have something in between a laptop and a smartphone that is designed to be comfortable for carrying around in a small bag or pocket, but that also has a physical keyboard and is designed to be used productively for programming or writing for ex…
>I'd rather have something in between a laptop and a smartphone that is designed to be comfortable for carrying around in a small bag or pocket, but that also has a physical keyboard and is designed to be used productively for programming or writing for example. Something like what? A small laptop is little more than a display attached to a thin keyboard. I'm not sure how you'd get something much smaller while retain…
Librem 5 phone runs desktop Linux, and you can connect any bluetooth or usb keyboard to it thus turning it into a laptop for programming.
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#109Having not used a smart phone for ~5 years now, I can say that it is totally a workable solution - however, there are, of course trade-offs, and several persistent annoyances. Rather than get into a list, I will present the one thing that I find the most frustrating: Our society expects you to have and use a smart phone for nearly everything. This might be less annoying if it meant only new functions or supplemented…
I went to the dentist recently and they required me to open a link in a text message they sent me to digitally 'sign' their paperwork. Without a smartphone I would have no way to do it. Yes, our society today expects you to have a smartphone.
Re: The Quest for a Dumber Phone
#110I had researched dumb phones recently only to learn that the two most important functions of a smartphone (for me) is the GPS and having a decent camera, and these things are either crippled or missing entirely from dumb phones. It's simply easier to dumb down your existing smartphone, especially if you have an Android phone. In my case, I have a 2017 Pixel 2 XL running LineageOS, with a text only home screen launche…
I'm in a similar boat. GPS, Camera, but also Telegram and a basic browser for reference. Dumbing down a smart phone doesn't fix the size and delicateness of the device either. I essentially want a tiny durable smartphone, ie size of an iPhone 3g. My biggest thing is I hate how important this device is while also being unwieldy and easy to break. The only entertainment I use on my phone is twitter and even then I find…
> Dumbing down a smart phone doesn't fix the size
Ugh, agreed. Pockets aren't getting bigger!