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There was another HN thread not long ago about the "quest for a dumber phone": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34415704 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?i

There was another HN thread not long ago about the "quest for a dumber phone": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34415704 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34415704 I dropped a comment there where I said that while I spent hours researching the "perfect dumb phone", there's certain features that are nearly exclusive to a smartphone or just plain work better on a smartphone, including having a decent camera and GPS/map with me at all times. IMO, I think it's easier to simply dumb down your existing smartphone by stripping it of all apps except for just the bare essentials. For example, my phone only handles calls, SMS, maps, camera, books, etc. No web browser, social media, fancy messaging app, or even an app store. Though this may change sometimes and I'll sideload F-Droid or some other app depending on my needs (like traveling). https://chuck.is/phone https://chuck.is/phone

genocidicbunny 4y ago
This only seems applicable if the form factor itself is not a concern for you. If I was to change to a dumbphone, I'd want a long (multiple days) battery life even with moderate usage, physical keys and robustness as a start. Similarly, a good camera or GPS would be features I would expect and hope are excluded from the dumbphones. There's no way to achieve these by taking a smartphone and stripping out software -- there are hardware changes needed. What you've described seems to me more a 'locked down smartphone' rather than a dumbphone, and the two are not synonyms imho.
- extr0pian 4y ago
  Correct. My phone isn't a "dumb phone", but it is certainly "dumbed down". I think that the people partially adopting or experimenting with using dumb phones are doing so to curb habits or escape something. Oftentimes, I think this can be done by simply dumbing down their existing smartphone, or "locking down" as you put it.
kzrdude 4y ago
A browser is just so useful for doing things on the fly. Regrettably, it's also a vehicle for addictive behaviour.
- extr0pian 4y ago
  This is exactly it. I of course have a web browser on my laptop. If I'm running errand, going to the grocery store, or going for a walk, I have never had a need for it other than wanting to satisfy some random curiosity. Not having a web browser on my phone for the last 4-5 months, I haven't run into any issues. If I'm simply bored, I have koreader installed which is synced to my ereader at home. If I do have that random curiosity pop up, I'll take a note and research it later.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]

genocidicbunny 4y ago

This only seems applicable if the form factor itself is not a concern for you. If I was to change to a dumbphone, I'd want a long (multiple days) battery life even with moderate usage, physical keys and robustness as a start. Similarly, a good camera or GPS would be features I would expect and hope are excluded from the dumbphones. There's no way to achieve these by taking a smartphone and stripping out software -- there are hardware changes needed. What you've described seems to me more a 'locked down smartphone' rather than a dumbphone, and the two are not synonyms imho.

extr0pian 4y ago
Correct. My phone isn't a "dumb phone", but it is certainly "dumbed down". I think that the people partially adopting or experimenting with using dumb phones are doing so to curb habits or escape something. Oftentimes, I think this can be done by simply dumbing down their existing smartphone, or "locking down" as you put it.

kzrdude 4y ago

A browser is just so useful for doing things on the fly. Regrettably, it's also a vehicle for addictive behaviour.

extr0pian 4y ago
This is exactly it. I of course have a web browser on my laptop. If I'm running errand, going to the grocery store, or going for a walk, I have never had a need for it other than wanting to satisfy some random curiosity. Not having a web browser on my phone for the last 4-5 months, I haven't run into any issues. If I'm simply bored, I have koreader installed which is synced to my ereader at home. If I do have that random curiosity pop up, I'll take a note and research it later.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]