Comment by alertArchitect on 07/02/2025 at 22:58 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)

View submission: I Need WhatsApp/Spotify/(Insert App) Master Post

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Why does WhatsApp matter so much for dumbphones that you'd eliminate a whole category over it? I know it's a dealbreaker for some, as it's practically required for professional life in some countries, but I've never used it once in my life - is it required for some major functionality? Is it just to make international messaging and calling easier?

I'm terrible at conveying tone via text btw, so please read this knowing I'm asking out of a genuine lack of knowledge. As someone who's never used WhatsApp, from the outside it looks like the equivalent of writing off an entire OS because it doesn't have Slack, Teams, and/or Discord.

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Comment by jbriones95 at 07/02/2025 at 23:13 UTC

2 upvotes, 1 direct replies

If you leave outside of the United States or Canada, WhatsApp is the equivalent of "text me." There are other countries where it's essentially the official method of communication.

Some people want to escape the doomscroll practices of smartphones, but retain communication with loved ones, friends, and co-workers. That's why it's requested frequently on this sub. There are alternatives like opting out or using a friendlier platform for laptops/desktops. But not everyone is willing to switch.

I was leaning towards removing the category because this post is about Spotify/WhatsApp and installing other apps. KaiOS no longer has that ability. So, removing it makes sense for this post. But KaiOS is viable for those that don't need WhatsApp.