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Re: "So I bought a dumb phone again. it's been maybe 8 or more..."
Looks nice, I like the notifications and clock on the cover. That's something I missed from my 1st Motorola back in 2008. A modern pocket watch.
Jul 27 · 3 weeks ago
🚲 CitySlicker · Jul 27 at 16:50:
I have considered a dumbphone, but for my own usecase it is best to just dumb down a smartphone. I like having access to maps, banking, music streaming, my audiobook / ebook server, I use Google sheets for my work schedule / work inventory so it is nice to have mobile access to that.
I don't use social media / watch videos on my phone, my only real time waster on the phone is the web browser. So what I have done is remove my browser from my homescreen and set a time limit on how long I can use it. This seems to work okay for me.
When my current phone finally needs to be replaced, I'll go with something from the Unihertz Jelly line. I really like their small phone options.
💎 istvan · Jul 28 at 01:10:
I’ve always wanted a dumb phone but being forced to use WhatsApp and WeChat makes it impossible, especially since their desktop clients only let you log in by scanning a QR code from the phone app…
🍀 gritty [OP/mod] · Jul 28 at 03:14:
I don't have social media either, but for me, it's how much I check it and when. when my kids walk out of the room for a minute, I check, when we're in line I check, at every stop light I check. and there's nothing really to see. It's that disengaging from the present, no matter how quick it is, that sends my mind down a different path than if I hadn't checked at all.
there are some dumb phones with Whatsapp.
I'll be checking signal on my android in the morning and at night.
🍀 gritty [OP/mod] · Jul 28 at 03:16:
@cityslicker jelly looks like a good step down compromise.
🚂 MrSVCD · Jul 28 at 12:18:
This post made me look into 4G modems for my laptop. 5G modems are still too expensive.
⛵️ kebokyo [...] · Aug 06 at 14:22:
The big thing about dumb phones for me is that what I want in a dumb phone is basically just a smartphone from before the iPhone. Like, if someone made a Blackberry Bold in 2024 with 4G LTE and mobile hotspot support I would cry.
@daruma I really like the idea of the BOOX Palma for the purposes you’re describing: it’s pretty hard to engage with “content” when you’re working with an e-paper screen. The major con is that it’s way more than just $80, so like with a lot of “digital detox” products out there, it’s something you’d have to *want* to commit to (and have the disposable income to throw around at silly niche tech products in the first place... which I don't).
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma
@CitySlicker The Unihertz Jelly phones look really cute but also a little *too* small for my purposes. Honestly I’m really upset Apple got rid of their mini iPhones; they are the perfect size for my hand and I dread the day I will have to “upgrade” to a bigger phone.
@MrSVCD The “Always Connected PC” concept has fascinated me for a while. I feel like a mobile hotspot would be easier to work around, though. If you’re using your phone for a hotspot, there’s one less data line & less monthly fees to worry about. It also synergies really well in my opinion: if something is missing from your phone’s functionality, you can just pull out your laptop and use it as a substitute.
So I bought a dumb phone again. it's been maybe 8 or more years since I downgraded for a time. I wanted something that wasn't super inconvenient but wasn't a low end smart phone. one could argue the one I picked is basically that, but I see it differently - there's no app store. The phone is also a "high end" dumb phone, so it costs a bit more than the cheapies. considering how much smart phones cost, I think it's a good trade off to detox for a bit. I got the Sunbeam F1 Horizon Bluebird....
💬 gritty [mod] · 10 comments · 5 likes · Jul 26 · 3 weeks ago