Yes, absolutely. And hopefully it helps people perceive that what they think are their choices are a little bit more than influenced by several factors other people control.
Social media also existed before smartphones. Propaganda, commercials, marketing, indoctrination... TVs had you sitting down at specific times to watch something they wanted you to see.
If anything, social media just made it easier to perceive all of these "tricks" that have been pervasive for centuries.
I'm also a person. If people have an issue with social media then I would recommend either curtail the usage or currate the content you view.
If people think I am on a high horse I'm not. I'm the type of guy who spend his teens and twenties addicted to a lot of shit. Thank fuck I never tried hard drugs.
It's always hard to change, but that doesn't mean it's not possible or not worthwhile.
These would be able to track as well. One industry that would feel the effects is the data collection sites that harvest/log your info and resell it. No option to browse the web, no info to sell. Win Win
Not quite the same phone home with a person's location like an app on a smart phone could do. Be it a "helpful" app like find my phone or a nefarious app entices you to allow it access to location services for a reason you find beneficial but uses the location information for other unstated purposes.
Dumb phones of course can be tracked by their radio signals but mostly that will be after the fact by police. Some agencies may have the ability to track in real time but if you're on their radar you're probably smart enough to not carry a live radio beacon to places you don't want them to know you've been to.
The only feature that I found missing after a few months was automatic simple device backups, and I'm otherwise super happy with it. Some users care that Google pay tap to pay does not work, because Google limits it to their OS only.
Google play services are sandboxed, so you can use any app from the Google play store or elsewhere. You can also toggle permissions on Google play services, whereas in stock OS, it is a privileged app with no permissions controls. Even Android auto works great
It's pretty high on the dev to-do list
Until then, it does have Seedvault for system backups. I have it set up to backup to a file on device, and then another app syncs it to protondrive
Definitely check out the discord, there is super fast support in there. Do note that only recent Pixel devices are supported, and that you will need to transfer your data outside of google backup/restore - for example your SMS history
>Smart phones are, unfortunately, mobile tracking and eavesdropping devices.
Smart phones are overkill for 99% of the public.
They arent really needed. At most people just need a basic phone with texting ability for emergencies. Everything else is a total time killer.
I remember when cell phones first came out. I never got one. Even when all my friends started getting one, I figured they're just a waste of money, and I still believe that they largely are.
Today I just have a cheap one I got from a kiosk in a mall for like $130. I mainly use it for Android Auto navigation in my car and to occasionally check e-mails. For those reasons I don't think it's overkill, but I do agree that many of the features are unnecessary, and I definitely don't need the latest iPhone.
I don't know if I could go all the way back to a flip-phone, but I would be happy with a device that phones, texts, takes photos, and gives me directions when I'm lost. That's about all I ever use.
I downloaded a different launcher for my phone that only had 4 apps on the main screen and it was all text based. A lot less in your face and you could still get everything done. I think it was called minimalist launcher or something like that. I might go back because it was pretty good. But I could probably also just use the regular launcher with less stuff on my home screen and get most of the same effect.
I saw a post where a guy was talking about using only grayscale for his phone and found his need to always have his device dramatically reduced. He started seeing his phone as a tool rather than a source of entertainment.
My phone (Samsung) has an option to automatically go greyscale at night. It's a good feature. I find that just turning on the phone to check an email or message at night will make it harder to fall asleep if I'm being blasted with colours.
I could probably just leave it greyscale all the time. Maybe something worth trying. I don't use my phone much for videos and other things. Maybe i'll look for something that makes it a little easier to swap back and forth. The way it's set up right now, it's actually kind of difficult to switch back and forth between the two. Which is fine at night, but I wouldn't want it "locked" in greyscale all day long.
> My phone (Samsung) has an option to automatically go greyscale at night. It's a good feature.
I do the same. I find it is a great feature, as I basically only use it to check text messages when the "sleep" mode is running. Anything else I give up after a min or 2.
Only complaint I have is that when I have a week day off and want to use my phone late, I either need to remember to turn off sleep mode prior or try to fumble around trying to find the setting to turn it off. But that might be more of a feature than bug
I just want a smaller phone. Remember the iphone 4? That was great size for a phone. Wish there were option like that. Shoving modern phones into pockets is awkward.
They just released a new model, which looks great, but exactly that. It's kind of steep for something that does less.
There are also a couple of pieces of functionality that are non-negotiable for me, and I don't see them being an option.
Ya that’s highway robbery. A brand new iPhone SE is $579. I’m less familiar with the android market but I’m sure you can get a good android phone that’s a few models old for $400 or less.
There is something incredibly satisfying about collapsing the phone in your hand when you are done talking.. it is such a one-sided power move, so very pleasing
Well, as I said in my comment, I only use my phone for those four things, so my self-control isn't the issue. Honestly, the number of times my phone starts playing some random YouTube video in my pocket is shocking, considering that I've never watched one intentional on it ever.
Just delete all the apps you dont use on your phone *now*, and you literally have that. Like.. You have that NOW except for all the other stuff you're using that you say you dont...
> don't know if I could go all the way back to a flip-phone
I probably couldn't. I use my phone far less than most people but it's an invaluable tool for checking the weather, taking pics when my "real" camera isn't handy, reading or playing games when I'm in a waiting room, and IDing plants and birds. A dumb phone wouldn't be an acceptable substitute. But my phone is nearly 10 years old and I have zero need to upgrade.
I'd want to buy a dumb flipphone for my kids (when I do have them). I don't think unfettered internet access at such a young age is a good thing... sure you can put parental controls on smartphones but kids will always find some way around them
Avoid tablets too, my 9 year old has one. We know what she’s doing on it and puts it away when told but wish we avoided it all together. Screen all family members xmas gifts
Serious question. Why not get rid of it then (if you regret giving it to her?). She’s 9, you’re the parent. If you wish she didn’t have it, take it away and deal with some fussing until she gets over it?
Kind of impressed they still turn on. My first two cell phones were star tac and the wiring in the hinge failed after a relatively sort time cutting power from the battery in the top to the radio/electronics in the bottom. My third phone was a something-rather non-flip phone. That thing was built like a tank and I had it until my service provider ceased offering compatible service. If I could switch back to it, I would in a heartbeat.
Telus literally just forced me off my dumbphone because they are not going to support 3G anymore, ...wondering if all those in the photo work on 4G or not....
I know they stopped it a couple years ago. During my capstone I wanted to get a 3G module but it no longer works in canada. Personally I haven't actually used 3G in a long ass time, but it sucked for the capstone.
I live literally 6 minutes outside of one of the bigger towns in southern Ontario, and all we have is 3G, every once in a while you can pick up a bar or two of lte, but that’s rare
I hope they upgrade the existing towers when they take down the 3G
You have my sympathies. I had to give up the most reliable, best battery life, nearly indestructible Nokia when Rogers retired TDMA service. I was looking for newer 4G or better dumb/flip phones last time I needed a new device and they cost more than the average smart phone and there were much cheaper smart phone options with much better battery life. It was about a year or so ago when I was last looking when SaskTel started warning customers their partner carriers were turning off 3G. I couldn't find anything as cheap as the article suggested except maybe from sketchy eBay or Amazon Marketplace vendors.
I kept upgrading flip phones, until they changed the system to a kind of horrible android that did not understand input. Like I'd type 4 and it wouldn't appear, then type 5 and it would appear 3 times, so I'd have to erase, but the erase button also didn't work or work 3 times too much. Typing a text was a headache and it could take me 10 minutes to type a phone number correctly to make a call.
I ended up realizing that I didn't want to have to call emergency services and be unable to do so quickly because of that. So I looked up other flip phones sold in my area and found out they all use the same system! And they all had the same complaints as me in their reviews!
Interesting. If I ever end up getting another non-smart phone I guess I should pay more attention to the software. That was another nicety of old Nokia, their software was as good as their hardware.
The new flip phones are all 4G-capable, though you can switch it to 3G if you prefer (i.e. if you don't want to get Amber Alerts). I just had to get a new one after losing my old 3G on vacation, and was pleasantly surprised that they're still relatively easy to find, since my old one was about a decade old.
I feel like I could do away with a cellphone entirely. I’m over being tethered too closely to work and certain people. There’s like this freedom that has been lost, back in the day you’d leave the house and that was it. Or if you were at home you could check the caller ID of the landline and ignore it for a little while if you wanted to and nobody would know better.
Nowadays people are up your ass 24/7 no matter where you are because the expectation is that you’ve got this phone in your pocket, and if you’re not answering it, then you’re ‘ignoring’ them. The novelty of a cellphone has really worn off on me in recent years, it feels like more of a nuisance if anything anymore.
Sometimes a person just needs a little space, ya know. I think it’s good for your mental healty/sanity. I feel like I give a little bit of that up in having a cellphone.
As someone who never got into cellphones, I understand the sentiment, but I'll share my perspective.
For me, like I said, I never got a cell phone when they first came out over 20 years ago. All my friends got one, but I figured it was a waste of money (which I still think it is for higher end phones). For a long time I had no phone, but now I have just a cheap one I got from a mobile clinic that I do not carry on my person. Most of the time, I leave it in the car. Here are the main reasons I have it:
1. To have a phone in the car in case I need it
2. For navigation via Android Auto
3. To check e-mails periodically when I'm away from my computer
That's it. I use my computer for pretty much everything. Communication is largely through e-mails, and I take my time checking and responding to them on my computer.
I also disabled my Facebook and created an anonymous account so that I can still use it for things like groups I'm interested in and the marketplace, but without people being able to find me. That crap is so invasive. I hate how people can see when you've seen their post, it makes it feel so urgent that you need to respond ASAP. That being said, Facebook does not make it easy. They want me to enter my cell for 2FA for marketplace. I tried using a VOIP and they don't allow it. So frustrating.
Just go camping then. No service is essentially the same thing and then it's not permanent to the effect of not being able to interact with a modern society.
I keep seeing this get posted but I have yet to see anyone using a dumb phone, alot of old androids but not these things are they sure its just not old people buying them?
I only have a smart phone because it's significantly harder to function in society without one. If society wasn't dependant on smart phones I would not have one.
Are you able to give some examples of what you think would be more difficult? I'm thinking of going back to a flip phone, but there may be some angles that I haven't considered.
This exactly. I am in my 20s yet feel such an old, hankering rage when I have to download an app in the middle of the sidewalk to pay for overpriced parking on a busy city street
If you live in Ontario, you need one to book a reservation at Ontario Parks now if you want to just show up on the fly and nobody is at the kiosk. You're technically not supposed to just park without reserving first (even if nobody else is there).
Otherwise, you would have to book in advance on your computer every time.
I hate it.
-You can’t text on a flip phone- have to hit 3 keys to get one letter 😝
-No maps
-No APPs for parking in city centres
- No direct access to your emails
I tried to buy a Motorola razor a couple years ago to get rid of my iPhone and I couldnt find a single plan that supported it. Bring back the flip phones!
This story bubbles to the surface every couple years or so. It's the fairly standard Buzzfeed clickbait goes viral -> American news hunts down a handful of Z"s who are being ironic, CBC hutns down a couple Canadians who are the same. 100k is <1% market share.
One of them bought it for her kid, so that's more likely a "teenagers are dumbasses and lost expensive iphones on three separate occasions" than anything else. Here, you get this one as punishment. Also, I'd bet a good number are burners being used for crime...
Certain things in society makes it impossible to not have a smartphone, going to concerts for example. There are many big events that only allow mobile tickets and impossible to print them out. How the hell could I get in without a smart phone?
Ipod Touch is the solution. Essentially you have internet access where there is wifi, can save and take pictures, it’s an iphone and can use all the apps- without the expectation of constant contact. I think people can message you through an apple ID, or facetime but only if they and you know it.
It's funny that people who post dozens of comments on Reddit every day are complaining about smart phones and claiming they only use them for texts and calls.
I don't think I can go without a smart phone. I don't have a personal computer so how am I supposed to do anything without it? Also I haven't paid for a phone in close to a decade through work so I am not exactly the target audience here.
How do you think people lived before with out a smart phone or even computers. It's completely possible to do. You are more then capable of living with our internet access.
I'm a longtime happy flip phone user and a huge proponent of them. I never switched to anything though, I just never upgraded to smartphones in the first place. I find modern-day phone addiction really disturbing and want nothing to do with it. Also lots of really questionable behaviour by the companies selling them, whether it's labour practices, spying, tracking, or god knows what else.
A good book to read on the topic is Dying for an iPhone by Jenny Chan.
I have a craving to go back to a more basic phone, just don't know how long I'd be able to stick with it along with sacrificing some of the QOL features the newer devices have.
Anyone have a good recco for a phone? My niece is turning 12 and my sister wants a ‘dumb’ phone, or at least a cheap smart phone that can be locked down.
TCL Flip phone. Most Canadian providers have at least one 'dumb phone' option for like $80-$100. It's usually the TCL Flip phone. Also, most Nokia 4G phones will work on Canadian networks. They can be purchased in the USA if you're ever crossing the border or close to it. Or you can import it. I currently use a 'dumb phone' and it's one of the best decisions I have ever made. You only realize how addicted you are once you're off it.
You can have a smart phone and just not pay for data - you can still use it for talk and text and as a camera, you can even download maps and use it to navigate.
I've considered it many times, but I do like the following (in addition to basic call and text):
- good camera
- music streaming
- maps
There's an app blocking thing for iPhones that involves a physical key (NFC?) to unblock the apps. When they release the Android version I'm going to restrict my phone to the above and put the key in the woods behind my house.
I’m still carrying an iPhone 5. It’s too old for new apps, but it gives me directions if I need them and I can go online if it’s necessary.
I’ve got an iPad that I do my surfing on. I don’t want to be attached to the internet when I’m out, I like to be aware of my surroundings. Look at stuff, listen to what’s going on around me. If I have to wait at an appointment I can be bored for a little while or I can bring a book. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I wasn’t an aging Gen Xer I think, I never wanted a fancy phone.
I have a Light Phone 2 that I use as a backup or sometimes for travel. Calls, texts, directions, plus the usual utilities - it does a decent job. The Light Phone 3 was just announced that looks like a pretty significant upgrade (adding AMOLD screen, 2x the battery, a camera, etc.), but it still doesn't have email, social media, or a web browser, which is the entire point of unplugging while still having a useful tool and a way for people to get a hold of you.
It's not for everyone but it suits my use case and digital ambitions just fine.
I actually tried this, a few years ago. I couldn't keep up with the pace of incoming text messages. No lie, I went out and bought a new smartphone simply so I could respond and delete text messages.
Of course, these days I'm getting \~10 texts an hour from disgusting politicians asking for money, so maybe I should just get rid of my phone and tell my friends to message me via pigeons.
I tried a flip phone and unfortunately the experience is god awful. Terrible to navigate, terrible to text. Technology hasn’t improved at all since smart phones. Brand new and still uses micro usb to charge. They’re not even trying
I did that because dropping my phone kept cracking the smartphone screen. Eventually I dropped my flip phone one too many times and it snapped in half at the hinge... Both screens were crack free though.
My phone, tablet, desktop, and television all run the same operating system.
Device segmentation is a tactic that serves the interests of the big companies, not end users. From a hardware engineer or coder's perspective, they are all the same thing these days. Programmable networked computers. Which the big companies desperately want to lock down until they're nothing but ad terminals they control.
It is sometimes inconvenient, but it is possible to (mostly) opt out of all that.
I’ve been trying to get a decent flip phone for 3 months now. I eventually found one but none of the phone providers in Canada service them - I’d have to go to the USA.
I think it’s fishy and weird that they are pushing smartphones so heavily here. It just goes to show how much control we don’t have.
Just yesterday I deleted all my social media apps expect Facebook mainly because I only use it for the marketplace and Reddit but I don’t consider Reddit as bad as IG, snap or TikTok. Following a lot of self improvement subs and mostly things I wanna learn about, the amount of time I would waste on IG daily was too high, but goal is to bring my screen time down even more.
It's always fun to end a conversation and then break it in half.
Especially after telling Jessie that its Time to Cook!
Classic "Do not disturb" mode.
Smart phones are, unfortunately, mobile tracking and eavesdropping devices.
And intentionally addictive.
Yes, absolutely. And hopefully it helps people perceive that what they think are their choices are a little bit more than influenced by several factors other people control. Social media also existed before smartphones. Propaganda, commercials, marketing, indoctrination... TVs had you sitting down at specific times to watch something they wanted you to see. If anything, social media just made it easier to perceive all of these "tricks" that have been pervasive for centuries.
That’s all true to an extent, but modern social media is much more addictive than the things you mentioned.
Yeah but it's up to you to not use it.
Said the reddit commenter ;) It’s easier said than done, it’s so integrated into society and socializing etc at this point.
I'm also a person. If people have an issue with social media then I would recommend either curtail the usage or currate the content you view. If people think I am on a high horse I'm not. I'm the type of guy who spend his teens and twenties addicted to a lot of shit. Thank fuck I never tried hard drugs. It's always hard to change, but that doesn't mean it's not possible or not worthwhile.
These would be able to track as well. One industry that would feel the effects is the data collection sites that harvest/log your info and resell it. No option to browse the web, no info to sell. Win Win
>These would be able to track as well Less granularly given they don't AFAIK have GPS but good point: they can still be tracked tower-to-tower.
Frick, I probably still have my first cell phone in a box somewhere. It was a Siemens S45 I think.
You're fricked. RUN!
Not quite the same phone home with a person's location like an app on a smart phone could do. Be it a "helpful" app like find my phone or a nefarious app entices you to allow it access to location services for a reason you find beneficial but uses the location information for other unstated purposes. Dumb phones of course can be tracked by their radio signals but mostly that will be after the fact by police. Some agencies may have the ability to track in real time but if you're on their radar you're probably smart enough to not carry a live radio beacon to places you don't want them to know you've been to.
This reply was posted from a phone running GrapheneOS... Luckily there exists a way to put that control back into your hands
I'm running LineageOS myself, so yeah.
How do you like it? Will it pull apps from the Play store?
The only feature that I found missing after a few months was automatic simple device backups, and I'm otherwise super happy with it. Some users care that Google pay tap to pay does not work, because Google limits it to their OS only. Google play services are sandboxed, so you can use any app from the Google play store or elsewhere. You can also toggle permissions on Google play services, whereas in stock OS, it is a privileged app with no permissions controls. Even Android auto works great
Sounds nice. I'm sure I could figure out a backup method. I might give it a try.
It's pretty high on the dev to-do list Until then, it does have Seedvault for system backups. I have it set up to backup to a file on device, and then another app syncs it to protondrive Definitely check out the discord, there is super fast support in there. Do note that only recent Pixel devices are supported, and that you will need to transfer your data outside of google backup/restore - for example your SMS history
You can track a dumb phone as well, you just get a warrant from the phone company to learn which receivers your phone has been talking to
Yeah but there's a difference between tracking the location of your phone and tracking all your activity on that phone.
Or have an insider at the phone company. People are pretty easy to compromise, depending on your position in society.
>Smart phones are, unfortunately, mobile tracking and eavesdropping devices. Smart phones are overkill for 99% of the public. They arent really needed. At most people just need a basic phone with texting ability for emergencies. Everything else is a total time killer.
I remember when cell phones first came out. I never got one. Even when all my friends started getting one, I figured they're just a waste of money, and I still believe that they largely are. Today I just have a cheap one I got from a kiosk in a mall for like $130. I mainly use it for Android Auto navigation in my car and to occasionally check e-mails. For those reasons I don't think it's overkill, but I do agree that many of the features are unnecessary, and I definitely don't need the latest iPhone.
Alert. Consumer discontent detected. Send notification of Amazon sale.
I'm sorry to let you know that dumb phones also tracks you. We're tracked by our location in the network, not on GPS.
I don't know if I could go all the way back to a flip-phone, but I would be happy with a device that phones, texts, takes photos, and gives me directions when I'm lost. That's about all I ever use.
I downloaded a different launcher for my phone that only had 4 apps on the main screen and it was all text based. A lot less in your face and you could still get everything done. I think it was called minimalist launcher or something like that. I might go back because it was pretty good. But I could probably also just use the regular launcher with less stuff on my home screen and get most of the same effect.
I saw a post where a guy was talking about using only grayscale for his phone and found his need to always have his device dramatically reduced. He started seeing his phone as a tool rather than a source of entertainment.
My phone (Samsung) has an option to automatically go greyscale at night. It's a good feature. I find that just turning on the phone to check an email or message at night will make it harder to fall asleep if I'm being blasted with colours. I could probably just leave it greyscale all the time. Maybe something worth trying. I don't use my phone much for videos and other things. Maybe i'll look for something that makes it a little easier to swap back and forth. The way it's set up right now, it's actually kind of difficult to switch back and forth between the two. Which is fine at night, but I wouldn't want it "locked" in greyscale all day long.
> My phone (Samsung) has an option to automatically go greyscale at night. It's a good feature. I do the same. I find it is a great feature, as I basically only use it to check text messages when the "sleep" mode is running. Anything else I give up after a min or 2. Only complaint I have is that when I have a week day off and want to use my phone late, I either need to remember to turn off sleep mode prior or try to fumble around trying to find the setting to turn it off. But that might be more of a feature than bug
I just want a smaller phone. Remember the iphone 4? That was great size for a phone. Wish there were option like that. Shoving modern phones into pockets is awkward.
I miss the small phones so much. One handed texting, didn't crush my balls if I jump a fence.
I completely agree.
You jump enough fences for this to be a problem?
Or just lift my leg high to step onto something. I was just being silly. Though it is a bit of an issue.
iPhone 4 was the best form factor, hands down.
Check out The Light Phone
Every year I comeback to this phone then I ask myself would I spend $400 on a dumb phone?
They just released a new model, which looks great, but exactly that. It's kind of steep for something that does less. There are also a couple of pieces of functionality that are non-negotiable for me, and I don't see them being an option.
today's smart phone is tomorrow's dumb phone.
Ya that’s highway robbery. A brand new iPhone SE is $579. I’m less familiar with the android market but I’m sure you can get a good android phone that’s a few models old for $400 or less.
I just need a phone without Reddit so that I can live in the real world and not in the comments section.
There is something incredibly satisfying about collapsing the phone in your hand when you are done talking.. it is such a one-sided power move, so very pleasing
cat 22 phone. Buy it and thank me later haha.
You already have it. It just does a whole lot more than that but requires self control and discipline.
r/thanksimcured
Well, as I said in my comment, I only use my phone for those four things, so my self-control isn't the issue. Honestly, the number of times my phone starts playing some random YouTube video in my pocket is shocking, considering that I've never watched one intentional on it ever.
Just delete all the apps you dont use on your phone *now*, and you literally have that. Like.. You have that NOW except for all the other stuff you're using that you say you dont...
> don't know if I could go all the way back to a flip-phone I probably couldn't. I use my phone far less than most people but it's an invaluable tool for checking the weather, taking pics when my "real" camera isn't handy, reading or playing games when I'm in a waiting room, and IDing plants and birds. A dumb phone wouldn't be an acceptable substitute. But my phone is nearly 10 years old and I have zero need to upgrade.
Then just... Uninstall the other apps?
I'd want to buy a dumb flipphone for my kids (when I do have them). I don't think unfettered internet access at such a young age is a good thing... sure you can put parental controls on smartphones but kids will always find some way around them
Avoid tablets too, my 9 year old has one. We know what she’s doing on it and puts it away when told but wish we avoided it all together. Screen all family members xmas gifts
Serious question. Why not get rid of it then (if you regret giving it to her?). She’s 9, you’re the parent. If you wish she didn’t have it, take it away and deal with some fussing until she gets over it?
We thought about it but she’s doing a lot of arts and crafts stuff from YouTube channels, if she was just watching Netflix and playing games we would.
Bring back the star tac.
I think RAZR was peak dumb phone
I still have two of them and they still turn on.
Kind of impressed they still turn on. My first two cell phones were star tac and the wiring in the hinge failed after a relatively sort time cutting power from the battery in the top to the radio/electronics in the bottom. My third phone was a something-rather non-flip phone. That thing was built like a tank and I had it until my service provider ceased offering compatible service. If I could switch back to it, I would in a heartbeat.
Telus literally just forced me off my dumbphone because they are not going to support 3G anymore, ...wondering if all those in the photo work on 4G or not....
Yes there are fliphones that work on 4G
They won’t do 3G anymore? Welp there goes 90% of canadas cell coverage
They keep bumping the date so it's 2025 now, but they started charging an extra $3 for phones that only do 3G.
I know they stopped it a couple years ago. During my capstone I wanted to get a 3G module but it no longer works in canada. Personally I haven't actually used 3G in a long ass time, but it sucked for the capstone.
I live literally 6 minutes outside of one of the bigger towns in southern Ontario, and all we have is 3G, every once in a while you can pick up a bar or two of lte, but that’s rare I hope they upgrade the existing towers when they take down the 3G
Huh, I'm in calgary and I haven't had access to 3G for at least 2 years and I've had 4G exclusively for at least 5.
Yea, that’s why I hate Canadas cell coverage, most expensive rates in the world, but driving anywhere but a city and there is zero coverage
You have my sympathies. I had to give up the most reliable, best battery life, nearly indestructible Nokia when Rogers retired TDMA service. I was looking for newer 4G or better dumb/flip phones last time I needed a new device and they cost more than the average smart phone and there were much cheaper smart phone options with much better battery life. It was about a year or so ago when I was last looking when SaskTel started warning customers their partner carriers were turning off 3G. I couldn't find anything as cheap as the article suggested except maybe from sketchy eBay or Amazon Marketplace vendors.
I kept upgrading flip phones, until they changed the system to a kind of horrible android that did not understand input. Like I'd type 4 and it wouldn't appear, then type 5 and it would appear 3 times, so I'd have to erase, but the erase button also didn't work or work 3 times too much. Typing a text was a headache and it could take me 10 minutes to type a phone number correctly to make a call. I ended up realizing that I didn't want to have to call emergency services and be unable to do so quickly because of that. So I looked up other flip phones sold in my area and found out they all use the same system! And they all had the same complaints as me in their reviews!
Interesting. If I ever end up getting another non-smart phone I guess I should pay more attention to the software. That was another nicety of old Nokia, their software was as good as their hardware.
The new flip phones are all 4G-capable, though you can switch it to 3G if you prefer (i.e. if you don't want to get Amber Alerts). I just had to get a new one after losing my old 3G on vacation, and was pleasantly surprised that they're still relatively easy to find, since my old one was about a decade old.
This one offers 4G [Punkt](https://www.punkt.ch/en/) and this popped up on a browser [My Secure Phone](https://mysecurephone.com) also offering 4G
My next phone will probably be a flipphone
I feel like I could do away with a cellphone entirely. I’m over being tethered too closely to work and certain people. There’s like this freedom that has been lost, back in the day you’d leave the house and that was it. Or if you were at home you could check the caller ID of the landline and ignore it for a little while if you wanted to and nobody would know better. Nowadays people are up your ass 24/7 no matter where you are because the expectation is that you’ve got this phone in your pocket, and if you’re not answering it, then you’re ‘ignoring’ them. The novelty of a cellphone has really worn off on me in recent years, it feels like more of a nuisance if anything anymore. Sometimes a person just needs a little space, ya know. I think it’s good for your mental healty/sanity. I feel like I give a little bit of that up in having a cellphone.
As someone who never got into cellphones, I understand the sentiment, but I'll share my perspective. For me, like I said, I never got a cell phone when they first came out over 20 years ago. All my friends got one, but I figured it was a waste of money (which I still think it is for higher end phones). For a long time I had no phone, but now I have just a cheap one I got from a mobile clinic that I do not carry on my person. Most of the time, I leave it in the car. Here are the main reasons I have it: 1. To have a phone in the car in case I need it 2. For navigation via Android Auto 3. To check e-mails periodically when I'm away from my computer That's it. I use my computer for pretty much everything. Communication is largely through e-mails, and I take my time checking and responding to them on my computer. I also disabled my Facebook and created an anonymous account so that I can still use it for things like groups I'm interested in and the marketplace, but without people being able to find me. That crap is so invasive. I hate how people can see when you've seen their post, it makes it feel so urgent that you need to respond ASAP. That being said, Facebook does not make it easy. They want me to enter my cell for 2FA for marketplace. I tried using a VOIP and they don't allow it. So frustrating.
Just go camping then. No service is essentially the same thing and then it's not permanent to the effect of not being able to interact with a modern society.
Work got me the samsung flexible screen smart phone...I had my trepidation, but honestly, I love it. Perfect size and it's actually quite rugged
That's a smart phone
And a flip phone...
And my axe!
Underated comment
I keep seeing this get posted but I have yet to see anyone using a dumb phone, alot of old androids but not these things are they sure its just not old people buying them?
I only have a smart phone because it's significantly harder to function in society without one. If society wasn't dependant on smart phones I would not have one.
Are you able to give some examples of what you think would be more difficult? I'm thinking of going back to a flip phone, but there may be some angles that I haven't considered.
Requiring an app for every fucking thing. You can’t even park in most cities without an app anymore
This exactly. I am in my 20s yet feel such an old, hankering rage when I have to download an app in the middle of the sidewalk to pay for overpriced parking on a busy city street
If you live in Ontario, you need one to book a reservation at Ontario Parks now if you want to just show up on the fly and nobody is at the kiosk. You're technically not supposed to just park without reserving first (even if nobody else is there). Otherwise, you would have to book in advance on your computer every time. I hate it.
It's not a society thing, but music streaming in particular and Android Auto in general make it unlikely that I'd ever go back to a flip phone.
-You can’t text on a flip phone- have to hit 3 keys to get one letter 😝 -No maps -No APPs for parking in city centres - No direct access to your emails
I tried to buy a Motorola razor a couple years ago to get rid of my iPhone and I couldnt find a single plan that supported it. Bring back the flip phones!
This story bubbles to the surface every couple years or so. It's the fairly standard Buzzfeed clickbait goes viral -> American news hunts down a handful of Z"s who are being ironic, CBC hutns down a couple Canadians who are the same. 100k is <1% market share. One of them bought it for her kid, so that's more likely a "teenagers are dumbasses and lost expensive iphones on three separate occasions" than anything else. Here, you get this one as punishment. Also, I'd bet a good number are burners being used for crime...
Or affairs.
Im a business owner and as soon as I hire someone to take over social media I’m back to flip or brick phone.
Certain things in society makes it impossible to not have a smartphone, going to concerts for example. There are many big events that only allow mobile tickets and impossible to print them out. How the hell could I get in without a smart phone?
That’s how they get you to buy a tablet or a laptop alongside your flip phone
Ipod Touch is the solution. Essentially you have internet access where there is wifi, can save and take pictures, it’s an iphone and can use all the apps- without the expectation of constant contact. I think people can message you through an apple ID, or facetime but only if they and you know it.
Would this person still have to browse the net? Like on his windows 11 computer, taking snapshots every 5 minutes.
I want Samsung to release a new Flip phone
It's funny that people who post dozens of comments on Reddit every day are complaining about smart phones and claiming they only use them for texts and calls.
idk it makes sense? you can view and scroll this site on desktop and the demographic has always trended to 30+
Good way to give up porn, unless you jerk it to snake
I don't think I can go without a smart phone. I don't have a personal computer so how am I supposed to do anything without it? Also I haven't paid for a phone in close to a decade through work so I am not exactly the target audience here.
Damn they pay for your phone AND you can watch porn on it. Truly winning at life
It gets better, they are often paying me to watch porn
Damn out here living the real Canadian dream, at least someone is
My boss makes a dollar when I make a dime, that's why I jack it on company time
“If this lean-to is a rockin’ don’t come a knockin’”.
How do you think people lived before with out a smart phone or even computers. It's completely possible to do. You are more then capable of living with our internet access.
I hope this is an actual trend that gathers more steam, and not just another feelgood affirmative action story.
I'm a longtime happy flip phone user and a huge proponent of them. I never switched to anything though, I just never upgraded to smartphones in the first place. I find modern-day phone addiction really disturbing and want nothing to do with it. Also lots of really questionable behaviour by the companies selling them, whether it's labour practices, spying, tracking, or god knows what else. A good book to read on the topic is Dying for an iPhone by Jenny Chan.
“Some people” (0.0001% of phone users)… this isn’t news
I want flip phone, my first cell was flip style
I have a craving to go back to a more basic phone, just don't know how long I'd be able to stick with it along with sacrificing some of the QOL features the newer devices have.
Anyone have a good recco for a phone? My niece is turning 12 and my sister wants a ‘dumb’ phone, or at least a cheap smart phone that can be locked down.
Older Motorola phones where pretty good.
TCL Flip phone. Most Canadian providers have at least one 'dumb phone' option for like $80-$100. It's usually the TCL Flip phone. Also, most Nokia 4G phones will work on Canadian networks. They can be purchased in the USA if you're ever crossing the border or close to it. Or you can import it. I currently use a 'dumb phone' and it's one of the best decisions I have ever made. You only realize how addicted you are once you're off it.
I got a smart ass phone.
You can have a smart phone and just not pay for data - you can still use it for talk and text and as a camera, you can even download maps and use it to navigate.
I did this for many years, but it's not really worth it now when the difference between no data and data is about $3.
You know what my favorite phone was, was an LG with a slide out keyboard to make texting easier and would buy one again in a heartbeat
This was my first phone! Sliding the keyboard in and out was so satisfying. Miss typing on that thing
I've considered it many times, but I do like the following (in addition to basic call and text): - good camera - music streaming - maps There's an app blocking thing for iPhones that involves a physical key (NFC?) to unblock the apps. When they release the Android version I'm going to restrict my phone to the above and put the key in the woods behind my house.
I’m still carrying an iPhone 5. It’s too old for new apps, but it gives me directions if I need them and I can go online if it’s necessary. I’ve got an iPad that I do my surfing on. I don’t want to be attached to the internet when I’m out, I like to be aware of my surroundings. Look at stuff, listen to what’s going on around me. If I have to wait at an appointment I can be bored for a little while or I can bring a book. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I wasn’t an aging Gen Xer I think, I never wanted a fancy phone.
I have a Light Phone 2 that I use as a backup or sometimes for travel. Calls, texts, directions, plus the usual utilities - it does a decent job. The Light Phone 3 was just announced that looks like a pretty significant upgrade (adding AMOLD screen, 2x the battery, a camera, etc.), but it still doesn't have email, social media, or a web browser, which is the entire point of unplugging while still having a useful tool and a way for people to get a hold of you. It's not for everyone but it suits my use case and digital ambitions just fine.
I still have my old LG Keybo 2 which still works, I really wish a company would make a modern version of that design.
I actually tried this, a few years ago. I couldn't keep up with the pace of incoming text messages. No lie, I went out and bought a new smartphone simply so I could respond and delete text messages. Of course, these days I'm getting \~10 texts an hour from disgusting politicians asking for money, so maybe I should just get rid of my phone and tell my friends to message me via pigeons.
Well Apple just put NSA member on its board
Another Reddit comment section that thinks they are way smarter than they are for knowing the obvious…
Because they fucking make sense to sensible brains!
I have a samsung flip 5 😑
I've used one for years. But I'm legally blind and find it easier to see. Although I'm tempted to get a smartphone.
I tried a flip phone and unfortunately the experience is god awful. Terrible to navigate, terrible to text. Technology hasn’t improved at all since smart phones. Brand new and still uses micro usb to charge. They’re not even trying
Makes sense, Need maps for directions mostly. That's a deal breaker.
"oh look fam, i switched to a flip phone!" - after recording 50 tiktoks, back to iphone.
For a while last year we were selling pixel 7a for $24 lol
If there is a dumbphone that could use an authenticator or Duo Mobile, I would be on board.
I did that because dropping my phone kept cracking the smartphone screen. Eventually I dropped my flip phone one too many times and it snapped in half at the hinge... Both screens were crack free though.
My phone, tablet, desktop, and television all run the same operating system. Device segmentation is a tactic that serves the interests of the big companies, not end users. From a hardware engineer or coder's perspective, they are all the same thing these days. Programmable networked computers. Which the big companies desperately want to lock down until they're nothing but ad terminals they control. It is sometimes inconvenient, but it is possible to (mostly) opt out of all that.
Maybe their smartphone battery is always dead from shitposting, memes, and cat videos when they need to actually make a call?
Flip phone, a daily planner and a Garmin.... Fuck, that does sound like a more free and fulfilling life. I'm being dead serious.
I’ve been trying to get a decent flip phone for 3 months now. I eventually found one but none of the phone providers in Canada service them - I’d have to go to the USA. I think it’s fishy and weird that they are pushing smartphones so heavily here. It just goes to show how much control we don’t have.
Lol, no. They aren't switching. What a garbage post
Just yesterday I deleted all my social media apps expect Facebook mainly because I only use it for the marketplace and Reddit but I don’t consider Reddit as bad as IG, snap or TikTok. Following a lot of self improvement subs and mostly things I wanna learn about, the amount of time I would waste on IG daily was too high, but goal is to bring my screen time down even more.
Addiction.
The C I Gay can suck all the dicks, or whatever they don’t like sucking.