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I would like to use a pager-like device as a grocery shopping list. But a pager isn't quite what I'm looking for (I think). Basically, I need a small device th
by bminusl 5y ago
I would like to use a pager-like device as a grocery shopping list. But a pager isn't quite what I'm looking for (I think).
Basically, I need a small device that can fit in a pocket, with a long battery life, a simple display, and a few buttons. Bonus points if it's cheap and easily hackable.
What are the options?
- dm319 5y agoI would love for a modern low-power LCD/e-ink palmtop, but sadly I haven't seen the likes of it since the old Psions.
- kator 5y agoPalm Pilot? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PalmPilot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PalmPilot
- bminusl 5y agoNot exactly, I'm looking for something more minimalist.
- dudul 5y agoHow about a small notepad made of paper? What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it?
- bminusl 5y ago> What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it? - Adding items remotely - Automatic item sorting - Pre-made lists
- elliekelly 5y agoWhat about a raspberry pi + thermal receipt printer? You could have a way (or several ways) to add items remotely and automatically sort items and then print the list just as you’re about to head into the store. And with thermal receipt tape you could mark off that you’ve got the item in your cart with your fingernail.
- bminusl 5y agoInteresting idea. I'll keep that in mind.
- zestros 5y agohttps://www.crowdsupply.com/sutajio-kosagi/precursor https://www.crowdsupply.com/sutajio-kosagi/precursor
- hoka-one-one 5y agoTamagotchi?
- bminusl 5y agoPerfection.
- dkersten 5y agoIf you don’t mind a bit of work, you could look into one of the DIY smart watches on hackaday or whatever. Since you don’t need a watch form factor, that should give you a little extra room in terms of size or components. I found them a little too bulky as a watch for my taste, but they might work as a pager-like device.
- bminusl 5y agoYou reminded me of Watchy[1] (which I completely forgot about). It is a good contender. [1]: https://watchy.sqfmi.com/ https://watchy.sqfmi.com/
- caturopath 5y agoMay I ask why you don't want to use a phone? You don't want to carry/look at it for the other stuff that a phone has?
- bminusl 5y agoPhones are generally too bulky for my liking. I prefer to have something simple and light. And I care way less if it's stolen or lost.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- im3w1l 5y agoIs pickpocketing still a thing? My perception is that between wallets full of plastic and phones that can be remotely locked, it has almost completely disappeared. I remember being told to be wary in crowded places as a kid, but nowadays I'm very careless and nothing happens. Bike thefts though, they are a serious issue that I plan my life around.
- caturopath 5y agoNote that crime in the US overall has gone wayyyy down since you were likely a kid. We're at Leave It To Beaver levels.
- spiritplumber 5y agoAnd yet a lot of people think that it's gone up because of skewed reporting.
- croes 5y agoDepends on the state where you live. If you live in New Mexico it doesn't matter if the crime rate in Mew York goes down. https://www.safehome.org/resources/crime-statistics-by-state/ https://www.safehome.org/resources/crime-statistics-by-state...
- swiley 5y agoThis sounds exactly like an older palm pilot. They used ram for persistent storage because the battery life was so long (due to a very slow dragon ball CPU and those dot-matrix displays.) The palm III was probably one of the best hand-held computers ever made, if there were a way to put a modern modem in it to get texts I would probably use that instead of my phone.
- madengr 5y agoI actually had a pager add-on PCB in my Palm Pilot. Worked great.
- spaceisballer 5y agoI like the idea of the Lightphone 2. E ink display and minimal functionality. Plus it’s small and has a long battery life.
- mattowen_uk 5y agoFind an old palm pilot on eBay with a refurbished battery. Instant digital notebook for the cost of a few dollars/pounds.
- fencepost 5y agoMight as well go for one of the even older models that ran on 2xAAA. Not like you're losing compatibility with modern hardware.
- reaperducer 5y agoI'm not trying to be a jerk, but have you considered going back to paper? After unending frustration with Siri and grocery lists, I just went back to paper. It works brilliantly. The "shared list" is my wife texting me things to add to the list, and I immediately take the piece of paper out of my wallet and write stuff on it. I've been using phones, computers, PDA's, and electronic organizers for grocery lists for decades, and none have worked as well, or been as useful as a piece of folded paper.
- bminusl 5y agoI have always used paper. But there are some things I would like to improve, see [1]. [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27016068 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27016068
- fencepost 5y agoThe return of the "Hipster PDA" (speaking as one who did this for a few years). I believe see also "bullet journal."
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- stevewillows 5y agothis is my dream! I used to use a Pebble watch for grocery lists, but the display is just too small for a larger list. It would be fantastic to have something that is basically a half-sized palm pilot (say, 4" tall, 2" wide), eink/memory lcd, and the ability to rotate (not automatically.) There's probably a digital price tag that could work for the screen. When I was using my Pebbles more often, it was great to be out and never check my phone for anything. Back in the day we could have set responses -- but as the years go on, we lose some functionality. The Rebble project will probably fix this one day.