4 ms·

Those light phones are interesting products and I thought about trying one at one point but seen some mixed reviews.

Podgajski 3y ago
Why can’t someone just make a phone. I don’t need a phone that plays music or can listen to podcast. I just need a phone that can make calls and make texts. I think their problem is they wanted this phone to still be like a smart phone.
- gambiting 3y ago
  You can still buy a super basic Nokia phone that pretty much only does that, and it lasts like a month of battery - I own one, it's great to carry around in places where you might not want to risk your super expensive smartphone. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-1-77-Inch-Feature-Phone-Single-Black/dp/B081DDS4HK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1J3WYTSPPU1DT&keywords=nokia+phone&qid=1705507109&sprefix=nokia%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-1-77-Inch-Feature-Phone-Singl... I'd happily give this to my own child so they can reach me in emergencies, but there is no risk of them going on TikTok or anything else. It's "just" a phone.
  - Podgajski 3y ago
    Then, why didn’t that school Just give them those Nokia phones? Because this is an advertising puff piece for the light phone. I’m going to guarantee you that someone in that company has connections to that school.
    - gambiting 3y ago
      I don't know. And maybe you're right - but I'd bet it's the attempt by the school the quell all kinds of complaints from parents like "what if my kid gets suddenly lost on the way home? what then????" by giving them a phone that has some mapping capability, it's just crap - but I guess it will do in an emergency.
- tass 3y ago
  By the time you build a basic phone, adding these features only costs a few cents more, so they include them to increase market share. These days phones are generally built from a SoC which already includes more capabilities than just calls and text, and run an operating system which already supports those capabilities. If you don’t want certain features they can be turned off (check how locked down you can make an iPhone via parental controls, for instance) but it’s hard to avoid paying for them in some way.
  - Podgajski 3y ago
    You’re not including the fact that they need some sort of wonky website for you to upload photos and add Podcasts. So it’s not just the phone they’re building but the whole infrastructure behind it. And if what you said is true, then why give these kids light phones in the first place. I’m almost wondering if someone from the light phone company has some connection with that school.
    - tass 3y ago
      Sorry I’m not actually familiar with light phone, so I’ve had a look, and it is something sold that anyone can buy. They’re trying to build something which people need to find at least a bit palatable. A phone without the ability to play music and podcasts would have very little chance of selling for $300, they’d be up against those senior-oriented big button phones which sell for incredibly cheap. Edit: I’m also not seeing anyone say that their school allows only light phone
goles 3y ago
They're expensive. ~300 USD, while the e-ink and design is nice that's a pretty big bill for something that does less than a modern phone that is also cheaper. Previous discussion (2020): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21943649 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21943649 I think the most cost effective solution is probably buying the cheapest used A12+ iPhone one could find. Factory restore, then setup Assistive Access or parental controls, which can limit any ability to install apps or settings without a different passcode to unlock the phone. Have a friend or partner set that passcode so you can't be tempted to add anything smart to your Dumb Phone.
- tempest_ 3y ago
  The price is steep but if I used it every day I could probably justify it. The one thing that I noticed immediately is it seems to still use micro usb. Without usb c it is a non starter, especially at that price.
  - goles 3y ago
    >Without usb c it is a non starter, especially at that price. Agreed, didn't notice that! I was also thinking the limited iPhone may be a better route for teens, parents, schools. Not only for when they break / lose it, but also may be received better socially.

Why can’t someone just make a phone. I don’t need a phone that plays music or can listen to podcast. I just need a phone that can make calls and make texts. I think their problem is they wanted this phone to still be like a smart phone.

gambiting 3y ago
You can still buy a super basic Nokia phone that pretty much only does that, and it lasts like a month of battery - I own one, it's great to carry around in places where you might not want to risk your super expensive smartphone. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-1-77-Inch-Feature-Phone-Single-Black/dp/B081DDS4HK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1J3WYTSPPU1DT&keywords=nokia+phone&qid=1705507109&sprefix=nokia%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-1-77-Inch-Feature-Phone-Singl... I'd happily give this to my own child so they can reach me in emergencies, but there is no risk of them going on TikTok or anything else. It's "just" a phone.
- Podgajski 3y ago
  Then, why didn’t that school Just give them those Nokia phones? Because this is an advertising puff piece for the light phone. I’m going to guarantee you that someone in that company has connections to that school.
  - gambiting 3y ago
    I don't know. And maybe you're right - but I'd bet it's the attempt by the school the quell all kinds of complaints from parents like "what if my kid gets suddenly lost on the way home? what then????" by giving them a phone that has some mapping capability, it's just crap - but I guess it will do in an emergency.
tass 3y ago
By the time you build a basic phone, adding these features only costs a few cents more, so they include them to increase market share. These days phones are generally built from a SoC which already includes more capabilities than just calls and text, and run an operating system which already supports those capabilities. If you don’t want certain features they can be turned off (check how locked down you can make an iPhone via parental controls, for instance) but it’s hard to avoid paying for them in some way.
- Podgajski 3y ago
  You’re not including the fact that they need some sort of wonky website for you to upload photos and add Podcasts. So it’s not just the phone they’re building but the whole infrastructure behind it. And if what you said is true, then why give these kids light phones in the first place. I’m almost wondering if someone from the light phone company has some connection with that school.
  - tass 3y ago
    Sorry I’m not actually familiar with light phone, so I’ve had a look, and it is something sold that anyone can buy. They’re trying to build something which people need to find at least a bit palatable. A phone without the ability to play music and podcasts would have very little chance of selling for $300, they’d be up against those senior-oriented big button phones which sell for incredibly cheap. Edit: I’m also not seeing anyone say that their school allows only light phone

goles 3y ago

They're expensive. ~300 USD, while the e-ink and design is nice that's a pretty big bill for something that does less than a modern phone that is also cheaper. Previous discussion (2020): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21943649 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21943649 I think the most cost effective solution is probably buying the cheapest used A12+ iPhone one could find. Factory restore, then setup Assistive Access or parental controls, which can limit any ability to install apps or settings without a different passcode to unlock the phone. Have a friend or partner set that passcode so you can't be tempted to add anything smart to your Dumb Phone.

tempest_ 3y ago
The price is steep but if I used it every day I could probably justify it. The one thing that I noticed immediately is it seems to still use micro usb. Without usb c it is a non starter, especially at that price.
- goles 3y ago
  >Without usb c it is a non starter, especially at that price. Agreed, didn't notice that! I was also thinking the limited iPhone may be a better route for teens, parents, schools. Not only for when they break / lose it, but also may be received better socially.