Ash HN: Any viable alternative device to a smartphone on the market today?
15 comments
Do you still want to be able to browse the internet with some comfort?
https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/ has a non-ios/android operating system and hardware switch to disconnect network.
https://remarkable.com/ is an e-reader, almost a document management system. It can sync and is hack-able (https://github.com/reHackable/awesome-reMarkable) but mostly notification free.
https://www.thelightphone.com/ has a radical approach to the user interface. You can call, you can write text messages, there is a mapping application but they're all custom and meant to be distraction free.
https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/ has a non-ios/android operating system and hardware switch to disconnect network.
https://remarkable.com/ is an e-reader, almost a document management system. It can sync and is hack-able (https://github.com/reHackable/awesome-reMarkable) but mostly notification free.
https://www.thelightphone.com/ has a radical approach to the user interface. You can call, you can write text messages, there is a mapping application but they're all custom and meant to be distraction free.
I like GrapheneOS. Not sure if this fits your use case or not. It is an Android-based OS with a focus on security. By default it has no real app store, and no push service. It's basically a hardened AOSP with a bunch of security focused modifications. It runs on Google Pixels only, because (they say) Pixels are the only Android phones that meet the security standards of the project. But don't be fooled, GrapheneOS is completely degoogled. No account will be needed or prompted for.
I bought a clockwork pi devterm and I just wanted it smaller and with a cell modem and maybe expansion for SDR and a better case. They are taking pre orders for basically that now.
I’ve been cultivating a garden of sort of interoperable cyberdeck things for a few years now. In the last year I found most of the parts to bail on my ad slab.
I kind of want an ultralight system paired with an FPGA in the box in tandem with the uconsole. I’m excited to get my ZX Spectrum next next year. The hardware stack is really close to the whole ball of wax I’ve been looking for.
https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole
https://www.specnext.com/
I’ve been cultivating a garden of sort of interoperable cyberdeck things for a few years now. In the last year I found most of the parts to bail on my ad slab.
I kind of want an ultralight system paired with an FPGA in the box in tandem with the uconsole. I’m excited to get my ZX Spectrum next next year. The hardware stack is really close to the whole ball of wax I’ve been looking for.
https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole
https://www.specnext.com/
We don't know what you would regard as viable.
I would still be using a 3GL flip-phone not a smartphone — but my USA service provider withdrew 3GL and forced an upgrade to 4GL VoLTE unsupported by the old flip-phone.
"standby time of 300 hours" https://www.cnet.com/reviews/kyocera-kona-review/
Maybe there's something here for you —
https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_us/feature-phones
Nokia 6300 4G supports WhatsApp.
I would still be using a 3GL flip-phone not a smartphone — but my USA service provider withdrew 3GL and forced an upgrade to 4GL VoLTE unsupported by the old flip-phone.
"standby time of 300 hours" https://www.cnet.com/reviews/kyocera-kona-review/
Maybe there's something here for you —
https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_us/feature-phones
Nokia 6300 4G supports WhatsApp.
I don't know myself :)
I'm sure if I try to go with a dumbphone only I'll find fast what I need.
I'm off social media, but I have to use whatsapp.
Maps are important, and a decent camera too.
I use an app to track my sleep (fitbit), to book hours at the gym, to book dance classes... damn, all those are android apps. Even if I wanted to cart around a linux tablet or small laptop, these would be a problem.
Ummm uninstall apps and find out what you need ;-)
I have been pleased with the phone I purchased from Sunbeam wireless.
https://sunbeamwireless.com/
They offer a variety of options, here is my review of their simplest phone:
http://bjornwestergard.com/notes/sunbeam-f1-daisy.gmi
https://sunbeamwireless.com/
They offer a variety of options, here is my review of their simplest phone:
http://bjornwestergard.com/notes/sunbeam-f1-daisy.gmi
I've been through this thought process myself and honestly, the best approach I've found is to use a cheap smartphone (Android in my case) and just use it minimally.
In my opinion, a lot of the complaints about attention are unfairly attributed to the device, when it's the rubbish installed on the device that causes these issues (social media, games, media streaming, news). This could also be extended to security and privacy.
As much as I'd love to go phoneless, I need it in case of emergencies (wife, kids, myself, a random stranger collapsing in the street). A dumbphone could provide that, but there's always going to be a bunch of one-off moments where some of the basic utilities of a smartphone are very useful.
I have a Pixel 5 (no third party apps, and small enough to slip into any pocket), with GPS turned off, battery saver on, very few apps installed (no games, streaming, social media, news), most of the default apps disabled, and notifications limited solely to calls and texts.
At home, the phone lives on its charging dock and acts as a home phone. When out and about, the phone sits in a pocket for 99% of the time I'm out. I only use utilities (like browser, maps) when it's necessary. I leave most thoughts until I get home, as anything important enough to want to check online is something that can wait a few minutes/hours.
According to the Google "Digital Wellbeing" app, which tracks phone/app usage, I spend less than 10 minutes each day on my phone, and unlock it 3/4 times each day (which is calls). I believe, due to my minimal use of the phone, Google collects very little of value about me. I just don't give it a chance to collect anything.
A lot of the alternatives to smartphones (eg. Lightphone, Librem 5, posted below) are very expensive ($300, $1300 respectively) and for that price, I feel you may as well buy a cheap smartphone and strip away all the excess or just buy a feature phone (Nokia 105 for $30). These companies are selling a lifestyle and talking piece.
You can buy a minimalistic phone like Lightphone, a feature phone, or some other workaround, but every now and then there'll be a situation where a quick check of Google Maps or some other mapping app would help. And that one check isn't going to tell Google all about your life. I'd rather have the utility there for those situations, than inconvenience a stranger in the street to use their phone.
In my opinion, a lot of the complaints about attention are unfairly attributed to the device, when it's the rubbish installed on the device that causes these issues (social media, games, media streaming, news). This could also be extended to security and privacy.
As much as I'd love to go phoneless, I need it in case of emergencies (wife, kids, myself, a random stranger collapsing in the street). A dumbphone could provide that, but there's always going to be a bunch of one-off moments where some of the basic utilities of a smartphone are very useful.
I have a Pixel 5 (no third party apps, and small enough to slip into any pocket), with GPS turned off, battery saver on, very few apps installed (no games, streaming, social media, news), most of the default apps disabled, and notifications limited solely to calls and texts.
At home, the phone lives on its charging dock and acts as a home phone. When out and about, the phone sits in a pocket for 99% of the time I'm out. I only use utilities (like browser, maps) when it's necessary. I leave most thoughts until I get home, as anything important enough to want to check online is something that can wait a few minutes/hours.
According to the Google "Digital Wellbeing" app, which tracks phone/app usage, I spend less than 10 minutes each day on my phone, and unlock it 3/4 times each day (which is calls). I believe, due to my minimal use of the phone, Google collects very little of value about me. I just don't give it a chance to collect anything.
A lot of the alternatives to smartphones (eg. Lightphone, Librem 5, posted below) are very expensive ($300, $1300 respectively) and for that price, I feel you may as well buy a cheap smartphone and strip away all the excess or just buy a feature phone (Nokia 105 for $30). These companies are selling a lifestyle and talking piece.
You can buy a minimalistic phone like Lightphone, a feature phone, or some other workaround, but every now and then there'll be a situation where a quick check of Google Maps or some other mapping app would help. And that one check isn't going to tell Google all about your life. I'd rather have the utility there for those situations, than inconvenience a stranger in the street to use their phone.
I'm not a security expert, but from my understanding your (fantastic) minimal use is still compromised and you are giving plenty of data to both google and govs.
I got most of my impetus to go phone-less from the book 'digital vegan' (highly recommend!)
I got most of my impetus to go phone-less from the book 'digital vegan' (highly recommend!)
Could you advise what sort of data might be leaked? I'm curious, just not sure how to ask without it sounding antagonistic.
I use contacts, phone, SMS, and the odd search on Google Maps and Chrome (once a week or so). All I can imagine they're able to track is the time, date and recipient of calls, plus the message for SMS and search history.
Is there something I don't know about that Android records on top of that?
I use contacts, phone, SMS, and the odd search on Google Maps and Chrome (once a week or so). All I can imagine they're able to track is the time, date and recipient of calls, plus the message for SMS and search history.
Is there something I don't know about that Android records on top of that?
What you are describing, almost to a T, is Purism's Librem 5 - https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/.
Also I would look in to Pine64's PinePhone (Pro), or even Fairphone.
Also I would look in to Pine64's PinePhone (Pro), or even Fairphone.
I have the Pine64 with Mobian. They have other form factors. It is barely, partially workable yet improving. Unfortunately more places are requiring an ios or android app to do business every year. So even if it does become workable, it probably won't be sufficient.
You mean PinePhone not Pine64.
They have other form factors… what I was trying to say, somewhat unsuccessfully.
Atm you should go for a cheap rootable common phone and install the OS that fits best your needs for privacy, security and comfort.
Popular are LineageOS, postmarketOS, GrapheneOS, /e/, DivestOS, CalyxOS,...
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Is there anything I can buy that let's me live a life outside the wallet gardens of ios and android stores? it could be a phone designed for privacy if such a thing exists, or a tablet running linux with a sim card. I'm in Germany in case that matters.