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Consider: "no phone". Anything one actually needs to do on the Internet is far easier to do with a desktop / real computer client, as opposed to any phone. Ph

Consider: "no phone". Anything one actually needs to do on the Internet is far easier to do with a desktop / real computer client, as opposed to any phone. Phones are far more signifiers of tribal allegiance than useful, functional objects now.

PaneradFisk 3y ago
There are quite a few places(countries and regions) on earth right now that pretty much require you to have access to a smartphone to get around. China = WeChat Sweden = BankID, any public transport company uses apps to name the 2 on top of my head right now. Sadly we're getting more and more locked into having a smart phone to get around unless you're filthy rich or off the grid.
- dachworker 3y ago
  Pretty much. I need my phone for my banking apps if not for anything else. It used to be that banks would have separate dongles for 2-step authentication, but pretty much everyone seems to have switched to a smartphone app now.
Brajeshwar 3y ago
Desktops are a second-class citizens in India. It is assumed by default that the primary digital interaction for an individual starts from a Mobile phone.
mikewarot 3y ago
The only thing I do with my bank is to check my balance, via a Web Page, on a desktop/laptop. I certainly wouldn't want to try to do that on a tiny screen with a horrible virtual keyboard. I managed to avoid "Smartphones" until getting a Moto Power G (2021) last year when they killed 3g phones. The first thing I did was remove all the apps for social media, and turned off Email notifications. If you need to reach me, you call (and play nice with Google's screening service), or send a letter in the mail. Smartphones are great for running Termux/SimH/VAX780/Open VMS 7.2 and engaging in a bit of nostalgia... oh and Pokemon Go. I don't try to do serious computing on them.
mikhael28 3y ago
The Apple hate is so strong here
- mikhael28 3y ago
  That being said, I agree with the sentiment of no phone in the sense that they don’t truly add much from a quality of life perspective when you are away from a computer. They just try their best to distract the hell out of you.
- smoldesu 3y ago
  You are presently in a thread titled "Ask HN: Why are Android phones such a scam?"
- h2odragon 3y ago
  This is general "tracking beacon / tribe idol" hate. For specific Apple hate, I have a different rant: about how Steve Jobs founded a more pernicious cult than Scientology, brilliantly adapting the lessons of previous efforts while improving their efficiency, by dispensing with the humility and humanity that had hampered others.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]

PaneradFisk 3y ago

There are quite a few places(countries and regions) on earth right now that pretty much require you to have access to a smartphone to get around. China = WeChat Sweden = BankID, any public transport company uses apps to name the 2 on top of my head right now. Sadly we're getting more and more locked into having a smart phone to get around unless you're filthy rich or off the grid.

dachworker 3y ago
Pretty much. I need my phone for my banking apps if not for anything else. It used to be that banks would have separate dongles for 2-step authentication, but pretty much everyone seems to have switched to a smartphone app now.

Brajeshwar 3y ago

Desktops are a second-class citizens in India. It is assumed by default that the primary digital interaction for an individual starts from a Mobile phone.

mikewarot 3y ago

The only thing I do with my bank is to check my balance, via a Web Page, on a desktop/laptop. I certainly wouldn't want to try to do that on a tiny screen with a horrible virtual keyboard. I managed to avoid "Smartphones" until getting a Moto Power G (2021) last year when they killed 3g phones. The first thing I did was remove all the apps for social media, and turned off Email notifications. If you need to reach me, you call (and play nice with Google's screening service), or send a letter in the mail. Smartphones are great for running Termux/SimH/VAX780/Open VMS 7.2 and engaging in a bit of nostalgia... oh and Pokemon Go. I don't try to do serious computing on them.

mikhael28 3y ago

The Apple hate is so strong here

mikhael28 3y ago
That being said, I agree with the sentiment of no phone in the sense that they don’t truly add much from a quality of life perspective when you are away from a computer. They just try their best to distract the hell out of you.
smoldesu 3y ago
You are presently in a thread titled "Ask HN: Why are Android phones such a scam?"
h2odragon 3y ago
This is general "tracking beacon / tribe idol" hate. For specific Apple hate, I have a different rant: about how Steve Jobs founded a more pernicious cult than Scientology, brilliantly adapting the lessons of previous efforts while improving their efficiency, by dispensing with the humility and humanity that had hampered others.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]