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I feel like a custom OS (in addition to the hardware) is the wrong approach here. The primary use case for this type of device seems to be folks that want to di

I feel like a custom OS (in addition to the hardware) is the wrong approach here. The primary use case for this type of device seems to be folks that want to disconnect but still have access to non-distracting tools (uber, maps, music, text/call). The problem is, there's a long tail of apps users consider tools, and I don't think Lightphone will support them all nor will app developers write them for this tiny market. For example, a user might think it's critical that their pandora music is available, or spotify, or.... One thing I've been considering is moving away from having a phone altogether and just relying on an apple watch. Big enough market that all the essential "tool" apps you'd want exist but the form factor itself prevents distraction (good luck doom scrolling instagram on a watch). The fact that the only data entry mechanism is voice, is actually a feature for me, it forces you to only use it for the essential. The downside is that I'd need to carry around another device for emergency work stuff. Maybe an iPad because that form factor is limiting as well, you're not gonna pull it out for 2 mins randomly and doom scroll.

canuckintime 5y ago
> I feel like a custom OS (in addition to the hardware) is the wrong approach here. The Docomo Card Keita [1] was the exact same hardware yet ran Android. Lightphone II really should have just been an unlocked version (sim and bootloader) with a custom skin… [1] https://goodereader.com/blog/e-paper/docomo-card-keitai-is-a-single-screen-e-ink-phone https://goodereader.com/blog/e-paper/docomo-card-keitai-is-a... > One thing I've been considering is moving away from having a phone altogether and just relying on an apple watch. A. The battery life will not last a day in my experience AND the Apple Watch isn’t really usable while charging. B. The UX of a smartwatch is a huge downgrade compared to any smartphone/feature phone. Wearing a watch on a wrist and operating it with the other hand is not an ergonomic operation beyond minimal interactions.
- alooPotato 5y ago
  A. All the more reason to just use the watch for the essentials :) B. I think thats a feature not a bug. I don't want to be doing anything beyond minimal interactions. Call an Uber. Get directions. Respond to an important text. Answer/make urgent phone calls. Let my family know where I am.
  - canuckintime 5y ago
    > I don't want to be doing anything beyond minimal interactions. Call an Uber. Get directions. Respond to an important text. Answer/make urgent phone calls. Let my family know where I am... Minimal interactions on an Apple Watch are checking the time/complications/notifications. Calling an Uber is not a minimal interaction in my experience… There are other Eink phones besides the Lightphone II worth considering to prevent doom scrolling: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1kLDZFZi6E https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1kLDZFZi6E That said I’m now eager to hear your own evaluation. Please share if try the Apple Watch experiment (there’s also rumours of a new iPad mini launching next month if you want to try that too)
tomjen3 5y ago
For any kind of work that isn't drawing, I would recommend a MacBook[0]. If you don't need heavy stuff you can go with the Air. Put it in a shoulder bag and you are good to go. Bonus, you can put other things in your shoulder bag as well. You are going to have about the same limitation with the laptop as the iPad, but more so. On the other hand, when you do pull it out it is also much more useful, because it has a keyboard. [0]: yes you can use other laptops, I am assuming alooPotato is deep into the Apple Ecosystem.

canuckintime 5y ago

> I feel like a custom OS (in addition to the hardware) is the wrong approach here. The Docomo Card Keita [1] was the exact same hardware yet ran Android. Lightphone II really should have just been an unlocked version (sim and bootloader) with a custom skin… [1] https://goodereader.com/blog/e-paper/docomo-card-keitai-is-a-single-screen-e-ink-phone https://goodereader.com/blog/e-paper/docomo-card-keitai-is-a... > One thing I've been considering is moving away from having a phone altogether and just relying on an apple watch. A. The battery life will not last a day in my experience AND the Apple Watch isn’t really usable while charging. B. The UX of a smartwatch is a huge downgrade compared to any smartphone/feature phone. Wearing a watch on a wrist and operating it with the other hand is not an ergonomic operation beyond minimal interactions.

alooPotato 5y ago
A. All the more reason to just use the watch for the essentials :) B. I think thats a feature not a bug. I don't want to be doing anything beyond minimal interactions. Call an Uber. Get directions. Respond to an important text. Answer/make urgent phone calls. Let my family know where I am.
- canuckintime 5y ago
  > I don't want to be doing anything beyond minimal interactions. Call an Uber. Get directions. Respond to an important text. Answer/make urgent phone calls. Let my family know where I am... Minimal interactions on an Apple Watch are checking the time/complications/notifications. Calling an Uber is not a minimal interaction in my experience… There are other Eink phones besides the Lightphone II worth considering to prevent doom scrolling: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1kLDZFZi6E https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1kLDZFZi6E That said I’m now eager to hear your own evaluation. Please share if try the Apple Watch experiment (there’s also rumours of a new iPad mini launching next month if you want to try that too)

tomjen3 5y ago

For any kind of work that isn't drawing, I would recommend a MacBook[0]. If you don't need heavy stuff you can go with the Air. Put it in a shoulder bag and you are good to go. Bonus, you can put other things in your shoulder bag as well. You are going to have about the same limitation with the laptop as the iPad, but more so. On the other hand, when you do pull it out it is also much more useful, because it has a keyboard. [0]: yes you can use other laptops, I am assuming alooPotato is deep into the Apple Ecosystem.