|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
09-10-2019, 09:38 PM | #46 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,776
Karma: 30081762
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1
|
|
09-10-2019, 10:34 PM | #47 |
monkey on the fringe
Posts: 45,477
Karma: 158151390
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle Metro
Device: Moto E6, Echo Show
|
I use a flip phone for calls and texting. I always carry it.
I use a non-activated smartphone for music, audiobooks, OTR, podcasts, and cartoons. I rarely carry it. |
Advert | |
|
09-11-2019, 02:42 AM | #48 |
Absentminded Reader
Posts: 1,109
Karma: 6463851
Join Date: Apr 2017
Device: Kobo Mini, Clara HD, Elipsa; Kindle Paperwhite 3 & 4; iOS eReader apps
|
I like the idea of the Light Phone, but the price is a barrier. I understand the economy of scale is working against this small company, but I personally can't toss $350 at a phone when I'm already making payments on the one in my pocket. However, I do love the idea of the minimalist phone.
Good article. |
09-11-2019, 05:53 AM | #49 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,240
Karma: 5759170
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA
Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)
|
You all have valid points, but most of the people who pre-ordered or are going to buy it at $350 have already exhausted all those options and they're still reinstalling apps they told themselves they weren't going to. Features like Screen Time on iOS is just another thing they figure out how to get over or eventually turn off.
The price tag keeps the tinkerers and people not really serious about using the phone the way it's intended out of the picture for now. |
09-11-2019, 08:08 AM | #50 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,732
Karma: 128354696
Join Date: May 2009
Location: 26 kly from Sgr A*
Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000
|
About Android and Google apps:
The google apps are what (contractually) allow the use of the Android name. They are an integral part of the Android OS, as ANDROID™. A manufacturer can remove them and stick to the open fork of the OS (like Amazon and others do) but tbey can't call the OS Android. At the user level you can uninstall *upgrades* and revert to the factory-installed version but it will still be there. Google is *doing* with Chrome (and Gmail, Play, etc) what Microsoft *wanted* to do with Internet Explorer that got them dragged into court. I wonder what (if anything) the 50 AGs will do about that... (I'm betting "nothing".) As to the price of the eInk minimalist phone, the non-minimalist price is unavoidable. eInk screens are more expensive than LCD. So are reflective LCDs. It's because of the size (as in, not ereader) and the volume. Which is why even non-minimalist low-end Android phones cost way less than the Light Phone. For those interested in a cheap LIGHT Phone, a better solution might be a minimalist/essentialist replacement Launcher. Of note, there is this... https://m.apkpure.com/indistractable...uncher.android https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...droid&hl=en_US ...inspired by tbe LIGHT phone. A search for minimalist Launchers brings in dozens of candidates, some more minimalist than others. This one is pretty basic: https://lessdroid.com And even open source, for those where that matters. I favor the Microsoft launcher in minimal config. It hides everything except phone, messaging, browser, and the apps button. And even those can be removed. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...launcher&hl=en Really good if you're setting up a phone for a parent. |
Advert | |
|
09-11-2019, 12:05 PM | #51 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,305
Karma: 43993832
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)
|
|
09-12-2019, 10:25 AM | #52 |
Karma Kameleon
Posts: 2,934
Karma: 26616647
Join Date: Aug 2009
Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn
|
They are hard to find and no longer cheap. I found that out when my mom's flip phone died. She didn't want a smart phone. I didn't want to spend near $200 for a "dumb phone". And there was only 1 offered by her carrier at $179
|
09-12-2019, 10:50 AM | #53 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 74,037
Karma: 129333114
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
I think a reasonably priced simple smartphone would do very well. For example, I find the phone app on my iPhone much easier to use then my Dad's flip phone. We did go to Sprint and AT&T to see what phones were available and almost nothing and nothing better. What I'd like is a phone that has the phone app and maybe a few other apps. And it would be good to have a GPS so it can be tracked. You cannot o that with flip phones.
I was hoping the Motorola Razor was going to make a comeback, but I find that if it does, it will not be the same. It will be useless for my father. He doesn't need a foldable android smartphone. The problem we have is that phones these days are not geared to people who do not want a smartphone or people who cannot use a smartphone. It's unfair really. |
09-12-2019, 11:12 AM | #54 | |
monkey on the fringe
Posts: 45,477
Karma: 158151390
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle Metro
Device: Moto E6, Echo Show
|
Quote:
I have several smartphones that I paid less than $20 for and I don't want to pay much more than that for an old school phone. Time will tell... |
|
09-12-2019, 11:14 AM | #55 |
monkey on the fringe
Posts: 45,477
Karma: 158151390
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle Metro
Device: Moto E6, Echo Show
|
|
09-12-2019, 11:21 AM | #56 | |
Gentleman and scholar
Posts: 10,994
Karma: 108312789
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Space City, Texas
Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3
|
Quote:
I have a nice little Alcatel something or another that I bought on the cheap and use as an MP3 player. The thing barely could function as a smart phone because it is so underpowered, but as a replacement for a flip phone (so it would just make phone calls and text) it would work just fine. |
|
09-12-2019, 11:34 AM | #57 |
Addict
Posts: 272
Karma: 8000000
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corvallis, OR
Device: Kindle PW2, iPad Pro
|
I switched to a small smartphone (iPhone SE, $350) in 2017 when I learned that Verizon was phasing out the band that most flip phones use. Then my family got on board doing the same thing. I used to laugh when I heard a family would spend $100 a month on a family cell phone plan. Now I do :/
|
09-12-2019, 12:03 PM | #58 | |
purpose priority passion
Posts: 645
Karma: 9002000
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: socal, usa
Device: sony prs-350, b&n ngp, rM2, kindle scribe, boox poke5
|
Quote:
|
|
09-12-2019, 12:07 PM | #59 | |
monkey on the fringe
Posts: 45,477
Karma: 158151390
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle Metro
Device: Moto E6, Echo Show
|
Quote:
On my media player smartphones, I dumb those down as soon as I get one. I delete/disable most of the pre-installed apps and download book, music, and radio apps. I never use those devices for email, shopping, maps, schedules, etc, I use my computer for that. |
|
09-12-2019, 12:19 PM | #60 |
monkey on the fringe
Posts: 45,477
Karma: 158151390
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle Metro
Device: Moto E6, Echo Show
|
I don't know about other carriers, but Verizon is terminating 3G service for most users at the end of the year and will no longer activate 3G phones. It'll remain available till the end of 2020 for enterprise users. I've heard conflicting reports as to whether or not my 3G flip phone will even work next year. So to play it safe, Im getting a newer 4G phone.
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
One sided EINK phone. (Light Phone 2) | Waiting4somethin | Android Devices | 2 | 03-08-2018 03:14 PM |
Cool little Windows Phone 7 Demo for iOS/Android phone users | kjk | News | 13 | 12-02-2011 07:59 AM |