How to get away from owning a smartphone

2 years ago by 🔰Hurling⚜️Durling🔱 to c/asklemmy

Hey everyone, I was entertaining the thought of going away from owning a smart phone.

I already have a modded ipod classic that I use as my main music player.

I also know how to use a paper map.

I also have the Microsoft authentication app for work (I could just use my phone on wifi mode for this)

The last issue I have is WhatsApp where I communicate with friends and family around the world.

Is there a way to use WhatsApp on a non-smart phone? Or should I just buy a pixel and install a secure rom?

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ComradeMiao 50 points 2 years ago

I think with 2fa, qr codes, talking with family, and emergency services it's not reasonable to not have a phone. Instead of purchasing a device why not just turn it off and put it away when you're not using it?

Your maps and ipod have already showed you these are just tools. Continue down that route.

BTW, this post is so close to my own recent questions I thought I had posted it, lol. Share your modded ipod over at c/ipod , trying to start a little community

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ironsoap 16 points 2 years ago

Addiction is a tough thing... Hard just to out it down.

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user224 6 points 2 years ago

And price.

When I go just walk my dog, I almost never take the smartphone with me. I always did that. Later I just bought a cheap dumb phone for 10 bucks, just in case. I always have that on me now.

So yeah, trying to not break something more expensive. Plus it's far more reliable than any smartphone. It just works, no stuttering, no crashes, buttons rather than touchscreen, the alarm app doesn't get killed optimized... Though it has the same problem as every single modern phone I get: the minimum headphone jack volume is way too loud. I wanted to use it for music, but that's a no-go. There's no equalizer to tune it down.

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JubilantJaguar 2 points 2 years ago

Almost all of these things can be done from a computer, siting in comfort at home. And some of them, i.e. communication, are even more pleasant that way. The supposed convenience of the mobile form factor is mainly a function of habit. I speak from experience, having mostly kicked that habit.

The "emergency" argument is particularly tiring BS IMO. Somehow we managed for all of history until basically yesterday without this functionality and got by just fine.

The fact that technology exists is not in itself a reason to adopt it. If only we would learn this lesson at last. Rant over.

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Dasus 1 point 2 years ago

I don't know man, I'm often out and about when I need to communicate to people.

I find it rather convenient to not have to find a library or an Internet-cafe, especially seeing my city doesn't have any anymore probably.

And I remember living without a mobile before they came along. There's a certain romantic novelty in agreeing to meet under x sign in y place at x hour. But it wears off fast, and if you're running a bit late or want to reschedule something on the fly? Good luck without a mobile of any sort, smart or not.

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bl4kers 1 point 2 years ago

Instead of purchasing a device why not just turn it off and put it away when you're not using it?

Easier said than done. We're emotionally connected to these devices and the freedoms they seem to provide

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otter 1 point 2 years ago

Is the community this one? !ipod@lemmy.ml

2fa, qr codes, talking with family, and emergency services

I might add maps to that list. Paper maps work for larger distances, but tend to be out of date for anything local

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ComradeMiao 2 points 2 years ago

https://lemmy.world/c/ipod

It’s really small! I am the new mod, trying to recreate the nice community that was on Reddit :)

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