The maximum battery save mode on Samsung (or maybe on all android devices?) does just that - you can set the limit on which apps can be opend. Turn the display to greyscale. Homescreen only shows like 8 apps.
I think for most people, just putting an extra step between you and whatever toxic app(s) you have can be enough. It mostly works for me, and as an added bonus you get insane battery life. I would try that before buying a new phone.
I bought a cheap Android "dumbphone" specifically for going to the gym. I was constantly getting distracted responding to messages / browsing the internet while working out, so on this phone I only have my workout tracker and Spotify installed. I disabled the Chrome browser though an app restriction tool. The phone has a cheap data-only SIM. My regular phone stays in the car.
I noticed this made a huge difference, I'm much more focused on training and my gym sessions finish a lot faster.
I love the idea and wish I could get something like this in Europe. The main reason I "need" a smartphone over here is that EU banking regulations make it nearly impossible to do online banking without one. Anyone know of similar projects over here that would satisfy that need?
"Europe" may be a bit broad there. In Denmark, I can get by without a smartphone; I have to carry what they call a "MitID code display" to gain access to online public services (though the device is entirely free of charge), but I also carry keys, so it's not a big hassle.
I see nothing wrong here. You cannot fight several teams of customer retention (no idea how it’s called) when you are already deep in their hands. Sometimes the best way is to remove or limit their products.
Like all dumbphones, it suffers from the same problem. Specifically, your set of dumb apps isn’t my set of dumb apps. Idgaf about uber, but i need Signal and Slack. You dgaf about those, but you need facebook messenger and google maps. Etc.
I think the solution is not a dumbphone but a full android e-ink phone. Horrendous for everything that involves video but runs every app and can be used as an ereader.
Unfortunately I have to found one that speaks to me, as they are all from Chinese manufactures with questionable quality.
> we made the intentional decision to not include email on the dumbphone 2 to stay aligned with our values. we created a communication device with essentials that help guide you off your smartphone screen, while still being able to operate in the modern world.
I'm looking for a dumb phone and this looked promising until no email. Email is underrated as a time saver, if you aren't getting hundreds of emails daily which is a choice. Email is not as urgent as text or phone calls and its main advantage is that it separates the sender/receiver schedule or timezone.
People need to learn to guard their time and schedule like a hawk and not operate in chronic reaction mode, i.e. someone else setting your priorities for the day.
> People need to learn to guard their time and schedule like a hawk and not operate in chronic reaction mode, i.e. someone else setting your priorities for the day.
Why not just use a smartphone if you’re able to guard your time effectively?
I feel like the main reason people are interested in dumb phones is because they’ve identified that they personally can’t, for whatever reason. (Certainly that’s why I’m intrigued by them.)
Plus, email access is assumed for identity verification these days. Whether that's porting a number out from a wireless carrier or any service that has your email but not your phone number.
The maximum battery save mode on Samsung (or maybe on all android devices?) does just that - you can set the limit on which apps can be opend. Turn the display to greyscale. Homescreen only shows like 8 apps.
I think for most people, just putting an extra step between you and whatever toxic app(s) you have can be enough. It mostly works for me, and as an added bonus you get insane battery life. I would try that before buying a new phone.
I bought a cheap Android "dumbphone" specifically for going to the gym. I was constantly getting distracted responding to messages / browsing the internet while working out, so on this phone I only have my workout tracker and Spotify installed. I disabled the Chrome browser though an app restriction tool. The phone has a cheap data-only SIM. My regular phone stays in the car.
I noticed this made a huge difference, I'm much more focused on training and my gym sessions finish a lot faster.
I love the idea and wish I could get something like this in Europe. The main reason I "need" a smartphone over here is that EU banking regulations make it nearly impossible to do online banking without one. Anyone know of similar projects over here that would satisfy that need?
"Europe" may be a bit broad there. In Denmark, I can get by without a smartphone; I have to carry what they call a "MitID code display" to gain access to online public services (though the device is entirely free of charge), but I also carry keys, so it's not a big hassle.
At least in Germany, many banks still offer alternatives. You’ll need to buy dedicated hardware like a chipcard reader.
Alternatively, keep a cheap smartphone around with nothing but the banking app on it.
A hardware solution to a personal behavioral problem.
I've seen people use Screen Time on iOS to help them 'adjust' their behavior. There was a thread on this just the other day: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48312443
I see nothing wrong here. You cannot fight several teams of customer retention (no idea how it’s called) when you are already deep in their hands. Sometimes the best way is to remove or limit their products.
A subscription dumbphone? Sounds dumb, I can just buy a better dumbphone
The subscription is for the phone service. Though it is true that you can only use this with their service.
Like all dumbphones, it suffers from the same problem. Specifically, your set of dumb apps isn’t my set of dumb apps. Idgaf about uber, but i need Signal and Slack. You dgaf about those, but you need facebook messenger and google maps. Etc.
I think the solution is not a dumbphone but a full android e-ink phone. Horrendous for everything that involves video but runs every app and can be used as an ereader.
Unfortunately I have to found one that speaks to me, as they are all from Chinese manufactures with questionable quality.
Modified TCL Flip running KaiOS?
I don’t see why it ships with a SIM + a forced plan.
That limits the ability to use it (or buy it) in any «unsupported» country.
Probably to avoid the accusations of selling burners?
Why would that be bad?
> we made the intentional decision to not include email on the dumbphone 2 to stay aligned with our values. we created a communication device with essentials that help guide you off your smartphone screen, while still being able to operate in the modern world.
I'm looking for a dumb phone and this looked promising until no email. Email is underrated as a time saver, if you aren't getting hundreds of emails daily which is a choice. Email is not as urgent as text or phone calls and its main advantage is that it separates the sender/receiver schedule or timezone.
People need to learn to guard their time and schedule like a hawk and not operate in chronic reaction mode, i.e. someone else setting your priorities for the day.
Once upon a time, or perhaps in an alternative universe in which the iPhone did not take over the world, there was Peek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peek_(mobile_Internet_device)
> People need to learn to guard their time and schedule like a hawk and not operate in chronic reaction mode, i.e. someone else setting your priorities for the day.
Why not just use a smartphone if you’re able to guard your time effectively?
I feel like the main reason people are interested in dumb phones is because they’ve identified that they personally can’t, for whatever reason. (Certainly that’s why I’m intrigued by them.)
Plus, email access is assumed for identity verification these days. Whether that's porting a number out from a wireless carrier or any service that has your email but not your phone number.