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Dumber phone

nomasters.io

91–100 of 347 posts

Re: Dumber phone

#91
post #62

I just got a Pixel the other day after being phone-less for about 3 months. I only need it to do ARCore development, so I keep it powered-off. * I had to print out directions to get to new places, which had me learn my way around. * People were much less flaky since they couldn't text me at the last minute to cancel our plans. * I no longer had a crutch in difficult social situations, which helped me actually get to…

I respect what you're doing, but I noticed it's the friends like you (off Facebook, never answers texts) that stopped getting invited to stuff. Scenario 1: housewarming party 3 weeks away. My phoneless friend doesn't get the Facebook invite used to corrall the other 30 people coming. She also doesn't get the group FB message (nobody uses group SMS anymore in my friend group). A fluke of busyness means I don't see her…

Agree on all of your points. I am a hermit that deleted FB and only responds to a few people via text. It's a decision I made that I'm still currently happy with. If something were to happen to my existing core friends though, it might be a pain finding new ones.

Re: Dumber phone

#93
These are pretty good rules and I've been doing something similar for a while now. Unfortunately, most people like being addicted to their smartphones and don't see it as a problem.

Re: Dumber phone

#94
Yes, that's why I bought the new Nokia 3310 as a second phone. Unfortunately no whatsapp.. but that can be a feature.

I like the minimal layout of the blog, but no rss!

Re: Dumber phone

#95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get a 3310 and a mobile hotspot with a data-only sim? The Huawei E5770 has 500h standby 20h activity, an ethernet port and USB power output (to act as a powerbank).

The problem with portable routers is that it requires a different plan and you always have the phone with you, so you're not in danger of forgetting it home.

The same is true for a camera. Dang.

Re: Dumber phone

#96
I've done exactly this and it helps a lot.

I also tried the "gray screen" thing briefly but didn't keep it because it was a pain when using the nav stuff on Google Maps.

Re: Dumber phone

#97
post #30

Personally, I would love a flip phone with a removable battery and a physical button on the side to turn WiFi hotspot functionality on/off -- with OFF being the default. Having a phone that you only need to charge once a week is a great feature!

You are describing new Nokia 8110 4G (aka "the matrix phone" reincarnated) * 25 days on standby, 8.5 hours LTE voice calls * removable battery * WiFi hotspot functionality * 4G network connectivity * KaiOS will have basic apps (Google maps, FB, Google assistant and reportetly WhatsApp in near future) https://www.nokia.com/en_in/phones/nokia-8110-4g

Pretty cool. I was seriously looking at the new 3310 but it doesn't have GPS. Ideally would like maps/navigation. A phone with SMS, maps, and email is all I would ever need.

Re: Dumber phone

#98
I switched to a $10/month prepaid plan. For data, it works out to $0.01/MB. Is reading some random web page really worth $0.10? I think not. It has been amazingly effective when I’m out and about.

Now, I just need to disable wifi...

Re: Dumber phone

#99
I see so many recommendations to get rid of a smartphone. Here is a different view. I didn't have a smartphone till 2014, I used to think that it was a scam by phone service companies and manufacturers to make you spend more. And then I almost missed my kid's team event due to change of location and missed the messages from other parents. I would have messed months' long preparation by all these kids by my kid's absence. That was the first and last straw and got a smartphone. I also want a phone handy to take pictures. A phone is essential, I just would like android and ios to care more about distractions and develop features to limit these distractions. I am also looking forward to robust, foolproof apps like Space by Boundless etc.

Re: Dumber phone

#100
post #87
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Check out Siempo (www.getsiempo.com) - it's basically a software version of the Light Phone 2 (for Android only now). We believe the launcher approach is the most effective way to solve the problem b/c it actually gets at the root cause, which is that the smartphone interface has no protections against the persuasive techniques of addictive apps. So we made a new interface that is less distracting and more intentiona…

I love the idea but it needs way too many permissions. How do you guys make money?

We know :( Our next release (The app is currently free while in beta. We are in the process of building the UI for a Pay What You Can subscription model, which we feel aligns well with the movement away from an attention economy towards a user value economy, makes it more accessible, etc.
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