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I got rid of my smartphone altogether 2 years ago and haven't missed it at all (we use my wife's phone in the car for Google Maps). Before that I tried de-Goog

I got rid of my smartphone altogether 2 years ago and haven't missed it at all (we use my wife's phone in the car for Google Maps). Before that I tried de-Googled Android and the experience wasn't great. Many of the alternatives can ostensibly do what the Big Tech product does, but there are bizarre pitfalls that break the experience. Stuff like OSMAnd having no business names and taking literally 15 minutes to map a route across town.

basisword 5y ago
Could you explain issues you have run into by ditching the smartphone and the solutions to those issues? A few things come to mind for me: - 2-factor auth (SMS or app based). - Banking (in the UK now a lot of online purchases must also be verified through the banks app). - Navigating in your city (public transport + just finding places by foot). - Anything else you've come across that assumes everyone has a smartphone. Also, what benefits have you found through ditching the smartphone?
- AussieWog93 5y ago
  >- 2-factor auth (SMS or app based). I still have an old Blackberry for SMS 2FA. >- Banking (in the UK now a lot of online purchases must also be verified through the banks app). We have an Android tablet at home for Chromecast. I just use that. When we're out, I don't tend to make online purchases. When push comes to shove, PayPal is a plan C. >- Navigating in your city (public transport + just finding places by foot). I'm one of those people who always knows where North is, and which directions main roads run in. I guess I'm just doing whatever it is that people did 50 years ago? >- Anything else you've come across that assumes everyone has a smartphone. I usually just ignore the COVID check-ins if they are phone only. Only one person has stopped me and immediately didn't care when I showed them my dumbphone. Apart from that, literally nothing has caused an issue. >Also, what benefits have you found through ditching the smartphone? I am not constantly plugged into an online hate machine. I can look around and realise that, actually, people aren't all that shit after all.

basisword 5y ago

Could you explain issues you have run into by ditching the smartphone and the solutions to those issues? A few things come to mind for me: - 2-factor auth (SMS or app based). - Banking (in the UK now a lot of online purchases must also be verified through the banks app). - Navigating in your city (public transport + just finding places by foot). - Anything else you've come across that assumes everyone has a smartphone. Also, what benefits have you found through ditching the smartphone?

AussieWog93 5y ago
>- 2-factor auth (SMS or app based). I still have an old Blackberry for SMS 2FA. >- Banking (in the UK now a lot of online purchases must also be verified through the banks app). We have an Android tablet at home for Chromecast. I just use that. When we're out, I don't tend to make online purchases. When push comes to shove, PayPal is a plan C. >- Navigating in your city (public transport + just finding places by foot). I'm one of those people who always knows where North is, and which directions main roads run in. I guess I'm just doing whatever it is that people did 50 years ago? >- Anything else you've come across that assumes everyone has a smartphone. I usually just ignore the COVID check-ins if they are phone only. Only one person has stopped me and immediately didn't care when I showed them my dumbphone. Apart from that, literally nothing has caused an issue. >Also, what benefits have you found through ditching the smartphone? I am not constantly plugged into an online hate machine. I can look around and realise that, actually, people aren't all that shit after all.