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The dumbphone boom is real

newyorker.com

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Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#61

Post by 1vuio0pswjnm7 »

I always wanted a pocket-sized computer. But I never wanted a pocket-sized computer with a built-in telephone. Strange idea.

Some folks got to experience the world before telephones were portable, and also before mobile telephones came with general purpose computers attached ("before"). To anyone born after, the idea probably seems perfectly natural.

The case for carrying a mobile phone on one's person wherever they go is compelling, for emergency reasons alone. But the case for one carrying a portable computer wherever they go, not so much.

Those generations born before might remember that as kids we used to have handheld video games, with tactile buttons. Of course, kids wanted to bring these games everywhere. But no responsible parent let their kid bring them _everywhere_.

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#62

Post by Fire-Dragon-DoL »

jdsnape wrote: post #8

I tried a dumbphone but it was a frustrating experience. I recently bought myself a cheap old Android device and installed LineageOS on it. I then removed the play store and browser, and installed a handful of apps that are useful and that I don't get sucked into (personal email, whatsapp, maps, kindle). If I need to (e.g. for a trip) I can load the browser and whatever apps back on It's the only thing that has worke…

Do you consider HN scrolling through rubbish? I ask because that's my "doomscroll", but I feel I get value from it

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#63

Post by r00fus »

Got my kids dumb phones for basic calls & texts only - their only really meaningful gripe is that sending texts using T9 is very very slow.

I do want them to text friends and us for coordinating. Otherwise, they do feel ostracized for not having a smartphone or Apple Watch.

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#64

Post by r00fus »

Rinzler89 wrote: post #5
BadHumans wrote: post #3

My love for the dumbphone has nothing to do with disconnecting from distractions. I just want a small fucking phone again.

>I just want a small fucking phone again. Foldables are now the best of both worlds now if you're open to this relatively niche tech and some of the compromises it brings.

I was at a carrier shop activating a new line and someone was returning their foldable - it just died on her. Rep was on hold for an hour trying to get approval to return.

Really seems too bleeding edge for general public.

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#65

Post by dmattia »

rssoconnor wrote: post #28
dmattia wrote: post #9

I had a dumbphone for two years, it was fine. For the past two years though, I've been using just an Apple Watch, which I was able to connect my old phone number to. It has maps, texting, calling (works best via bluetooth), weather, heart rate monitoring, alarms, email, sports scores, and some music apps. When attached to my wife's phone plan, it costs me $5 per month for all service. I think the unfortunate reality…

Can you tell me more about your watch use? I wanted to do something like this, but I got the impression that even if you get an Apple watch with a SIM card, you still would practically need an Apple phone paired with it.

Yeah for sure! So you sort of need a phone paired with it, but only as in you need a family member (or someone on your phone plan) to have an iPhone, but the watch owner themselves doesn't actually need any other phone that the watch.

It's called "Family Setup": https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036, and it lets me use the watch in what is sometimes called "Standalone mode" or "Companion mode" in different apps.

If you go down this route, know that many apps in the app store will not be downloadable, as they don't support "Companion mode", but I can still get everything I personally needed just fine.

As far as the SIM goes, I think I'm using an electronic sim card? I'm not positive

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#67

Post by disqard »

Dem_Boys wrote: post #45

Isn't this a damning condemnation for the tech world? Can anyone think of another product that was so popular and then people started abandoning it for their own mental health? This sounds like drugs! We created the most influential hardware device in the past 30 years (smartphone) and within 5 years it was used to weaponize human vulnerabilities (high jacking dopamine, porn, propaganda, etc...) and has had a huge ne…

This is a growing chorus indeed, and I see no reason to believe that it'll die down.

Big Tech does indeed resemble Big Oil, plus "I'm in this picture and I don't like it" (for many folks on this site).

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#69

Post by ethbr1 »

peebeebee wrote: post #18
dmattia wrote: post #9

I had a dumbphone for two years, it was fine. For the past two years though, I've been using just an Apple Watch, which I was able to connect my old phone number to. It has maps, texting, calling (works best via bluetooth), weather, heart rate monitoring, alarms, email, sports scores, and some music apps. When attached to my wife's phone plan, it costs me $5 per month for all service. I think the unfortunate reality…

I think a watch is indeed a better 'companion' for people that want to detox from screentime. I do find Apple is hesitant to make it act as a primary driver. I find myself needing my iPhone too much for my liking. Hopefully this will change in the future. I want the connectivity, I just don't want to... - carry 2 devices. - have a media consumption device with me all the time

I imagine the profit on a Watch dwarfs that from an iPhone, so they're leery to kill the golden goose.

And they've prioritized iPhone >> MacBook, so they're likely not interested in encouraging watch + laptop uses.

Re: The dumbphone boom is real

#70

Post by ChrisRR »

kkfx wrote: post #48
ChrisRR wrote: post #44

Do many dumb phones include whatsapp? I think for a lot of europeans that might be an issue

Not for me, I've NEVER had WA and I regularly tell anyone: "to reach me you have mails for long async stuff, phone calls for quick/urgent/important topics, with various VoIP numbers to match you country/phone plan, you do not need anything else". People tray to force others on walled gardens must be LART-ed enough to understand.

I'm sure you do, but I'm also sure that a lot of people just don't bother contacting you because of it.

I try to use signal instead of whatsapp wherever possible, but I think a lot of people just wouldn't bother if I only used signal

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