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Giving up on free software phones is the first step. Now give up on software phones and just use a tiny non-computer cell phone that does text and voice. The re

Giving up on free software phones is the first step. Now give up on software phones and just use a tiny non-computer cell phone that does text and voice. The removable battery will last a week and you won't even notice it in your pocket. The firmware will last the entire life of the phone, never needing to be updated. Replace the car GPS navigation functionality with a dedicated car GPS and you have most of the same functionality but with better longer lasting devices.

rationalist 3y ago
And miss out on, or pay for, GPS updates and lose out on real-time traffic reports.
- hsishzixgsi 3y ago
  traffic is pretty consistent everywhere. you also "miss" being sent to a known slow and long rout just because the buggy algorithm wants to bucket test some random path close to the daily rush hour.
  - rationalist 3y ago
    > traffic is pretty consistent everywhere. Yes, accidents always happen in the same spot at the same time on the same days, and new people visiting new places always know about those things. I have had Google try to send me on slower routes, but I use my brain and drive the more logical way and it updates the map accordingly. Though most people are not logical, and such practices theoretically help everyone overall including the petson who is sent on a different route that time.
- dmm 3y ago
  > GPS updates I load free OSM maps on my GPS.
- Marsymars 3y ago
  My Garmin GPS has been getting free map updates for years and gives real-time traffic reports.
- superkuh 3y ago
  Most dedicated car GPS have radio receivers to get the congestion alerts put out locally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_announcement_%28radio_data_systems%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_announcement_%28radio_... It's not quite the same orwellian level of detail but it helps with the big ones.
NotYourLawyer 3y ago
I don’t even want a “phone.” The number of actual phone calls I make is minuscule compared to internet usage, texting, videoconferencing, navigating, etc.
criddell 3y ago
And I guess also carry a camera. And a music player. And a gaming device. And maybe a flashlight too. And you probably want a voice recorder. And a pedometer. And maybe a pen and paper if you need to jot a quick note. And don’t forget your datebook with your calendar. And bring a calculator. You could also pick up one of those portable DVD players from the 90’s if you want to watch a movie on the go. I happen to enjoy a couple of sky gazing apps, so I would probably also take one of those old sky charts with me.

rationalist 3y ago

And miss out on, or pay for, GPS updates and lose out on real-time traffic reports.

hsishzixgsi 3y ago
traffic is pretty consistent everywhere. you also "miss" being sent to a known slow and long rout just because the buggy algorithm wants to bucket test some random path close to the daily rush hour.
- rationalist 3y ago
  > traffic is pretty consistent everywhere. Yes, accidents always happen in the same spot at the same time on the same days, and new people visiting new places always know about those things. I have had Google try to send me on slower routes, but I use my brain and drive the more logical way and it updates the map accordingly. Though most people are not logical, and such practices theoretically help everyone overall including the petson who is sent on a different route that time.
dmm 3y ago
> GPS updates I load free OSM maps on my GPS.
Marsymars 3y ago
My Garmin GPS has been getting free map updates for years and gives real-time traffic reports.
superkuh 3y ago
Most dedicated car GPS have radio receivers to get the congestion alerts put out locally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_announcement_%28radio_data_systems%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_announcement_%28radio_... It's not quite the same orwellian level of detail but it helps with the big ones.

NotYourLawyer 3y ago

I don’t even want a “phone.” The number of actual phone calls I make is minuscule compared to internet usage, texting, videoconferencing, navigating, etc.

criddell 3y ago

And I guess also carry a camera. And a music player. And a gaming device. And maybe a flashlight too. And you probably want a voice recorder. And a pedometer. And maybe a pen and paper if you need to jot a quick note. And don’t forget your datebook with your calendar. And bring a calculator. You could also pick up one of those portable DVD players from the 90’s if you want to watch a movie on the go. I happen to enjoy a couple of sky gazing apps, so I would probably also take one of those old sky charts with me.