Jeff Martin
I spent WAAAAAY too much time making this.
Jan 16, 2023 at 9:51pmWeb
Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023

Lol, so apparently some smartphone makers just let you scale the screen image down to whatever size you want.

https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/using-one-handed-mode/

h/t to @ticktok

Seems awkward, but I guess that could work. Except you still somehow have to manage to hold on to the massive thing with one hand.

I must be in the minority of people that doesn't want to use their phone as a home theater.

Using One Handed Mode on my Samsung Phone

FAQ for Samsung Mobile Device. Find more about 'Using One Handed Mode on my Samsung Phone' with Samsung Support.

Samsung au
Show threadTicktokJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz idk. I have average leaning towards small hands for a guy and this is how I use my samsung Note20 with a 6.9" display, and I have a wallet case on it.
but like I said, I'm the target audience for phablets though.
Show threadtreedJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ticktok iOS has a gesture that pulls the top half of the screen down to help you reach things. It’s not ideal, but it makes it basically usable.
Show threadyeradisJan 17, 2023
@treed @cuchaz @ticktok iOS has that feature too … se sample image and official documentation https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/reachability-iph145eba8e9/ios
Reach the top of the iPhone screen with one hand

Use Reachability to lower the top half of the iPhone screen and make it more easily accessible with one hand.

Apple Support
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ticktok I don't think we're a minority. I think phone manufacturers just don't give a shit what we want.
Show threadJeff MartinJan 17, 2023
@darwinwoodka @ticktok That seems almost paradoxical. I do wonder why the phones keep getting bigger though. Maybe the pressure to keep increasing features means they need more space for hardware?
Show threadCharlie StrossJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ticktok @darwinwoodka They're not sold as phones these days, they're sold as general purpose entertainment computers, subsidized by advertising, and a small screen makes them less efficient at those tasks.
Show threadJeff MartinJan 17, 2023
@cstross @ticktok @darwinwoodka Yeah, that vibes. I’m told the need for increasing battery life is a big part of the larger sizes too.
Show threadmborusJan 17, 2023

@cuchaz @cstross @ticktok @darwinwoodka

But for increased battery life they could just make the phone a little thicker...

Show threadauthor_is_ShrikeTron🔠💉x5Jan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ticktok #Sony #Xperia had #ScreenScaling for a long time, AND their phones refuse to grow beyond a certain width, unlike most mobiles these days: https://www.xperiablog.net/2018/03/07/sony-brings-night-light-and-one-handed-mode-to-xperia-xz2/
Show threadmborusJan 17, 2023

@cuchaz @ticktok

Yes, you're in the minority (
together with me). There seems no market for a high end smartphone with a great camera and a small screen.

That's why I gave up on Android when the iPhone Mini arrived. Which is a decent small phone and close to what I want. What I really want is a Mini Pro (with a better camera, a headphone connector and a way to sideload apps...))

On Android? Found nothing good that's small enough to carry around with me all the time.

Show threadJeff MartinJan 17, 2023

@mborus @ticktok To be honest, I am sorely tempted to just stick on the Apple train and get a mini or an SE. The form factor looks so nice!

But I'm also on a quest to cut adtech out of my life. Apple's new forays into adtech have me worried, so I'm looking for alternatives. deGoogled Android looks promising, but alas, it's hard to find reasonably-sized Android-compatible models there.

I may end up settling for a middle-of-the-road model like the Pixel 6a and then get some kind of fancy case with a grip device of some kind on it.

Show threadocdtrekkieJan 16, 2023

@cuchaz It's definitely shifted how I hold my phone. Instead of resting in my palm and reaching across, the phone has to sit on my fingers to that my palm provides additional thumb reach.

With a normal iPhone that's still fine-ish for me, but folks getting a Note or Max totally confuse me.

Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023
@ocdtrekkie Oh, wow. That feels weird... the fingers thing. I feel like I'm about to drop it. I'm not sure I could get used to that.
Show threadocdtrekkieJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz Three middle fingers support the back, pinky holds the bottom to prevent sliding.
Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023

@ocdtrekkie Ok, with the pinky down there, I get maybe 1/2 an inch of extra reach? But a lot more strain. It feels bad.

PS:The 15-year old in me is bursting out laughing. 

Show threadocdtrekkieJan 16, 2023

@cuchaz It feels natural enough to me that I don't have to think about it, but I suppose it's also happened gradually over many years. It's kinda silly when you actually think about it, and yeah, I expect to age out of being able to be that cool soon. =)

Also... I was going to take pictures of how I hold my phone, but then I'd need another phone.

Show threadroJan 16, 2023

@ocdtrekkie @cuchaz >another phone

or a mirror!

Show threadJames BasooJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz @ocdtrekkie yeah I used to do that but found my pinky joint was hurting. Now I have a grip thing on the back of my phone which is a more comfortable solution to a ridiculous problem.
Show threadJohannesJan 17, 2023
@Jbasoo @cuchaz @ocdtrekkie
Ha, same here. I intuitively rest my iPhone 11 on my pinky instead of my palm due to it’s size, but I quickly got a (temporarily) sore spot where the case cut into my pinky.
It’s peculiar how fast our mind (motor skills) adapts to new devices (the iOS gestures felt innate within a day or two of use), yet how quickly we thereby push our not-so-adaptable body over its limits, giving ourselves lovely new repetitive strain injuries.
Show threadJeff MartinJan 17, 2023
@johannes_lehmann @Jbasoo @ocdtrekkie RSI is the worst! And the best way of dealing with it apparently is prevention. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could find a phone I could actually use without injuring myself? I think those fancy cases with the gripper mechanisms on them might be the key if no one’s going to make one that’s actually sized for real people.
Show threadJames BasooJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @johannes_lehmann @ocdtrekkie I got this one which sticks on but is removable which is handy for using a car phone mount. Also carries cards so I don't usually carry a wallet anymore https://amzn.eu/d/0FhQxih
Show threadAbencoJan 17, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @cuchaz this is me lol
Show threadHeliographJan 19, 2023
@ocdtrekkie that is exactly the dexterity how I hold my phone (nexus6p) @cuchaz
Show threadphearaJan 20, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @cuchaz For me a pop socket made that a bit better; holding the socket between just ring and middle finger makes it easy to reach around with the hand/thumb to anywhere on the screen (even beyond the top left). It also acts as a stand. But it does make the phone a bit thicker.
Show threadSeanJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz @ocdtrekkie a popsocket helps with this (though I'd rather have a smaller phone)
Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023
@seanlinsley @ocdtrekkie Oh yeah, that's a good idea. I've never used one of those before, but with a big phone, maybe I really need one.
Show threadAndrew GraceyJan 16, 2023

@cuchaz @ocdtrekkie I found that using the little ring adapter for my quad lock case helped make it easier.

https://www.quadlockcase.com/collections/accessories/products/phone-ring-stand

I wish someone would come out with a smaller screen phone but there seems to not be enough market demand 😔 (similarly, I want a barebones electric truck without all the bells and whistles for half the price but 🤷‍♂️)

Accessory - Phone Ring/Stand

Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023
@Agracey @ocdtrekkie Ooooh, I like that one!
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJan 17, 2023
@Agracey @cuchaz @ocdtrekkie how would they know if there's demand? They don't ask! I certainly would love a smaller phone!
Show threadocdtrekkieJan 17, 2023
@darwinwoodka @Agracey @cuchaz Supposedly they do market research, but I've often felt they do poor evaluation: I prefer keyboard slider phones, which are basically gone now. They claim nobody was buying them, but they used to sit a year or two behind in the market, so people felt forced to buy slabs to stay up to date.
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJan 17, 2023

@ocdtrekkie @Agracey @cuchaz I have never EVER had a tech company do "market research" that reached me and I am an old person. I think it's all tech bros that just decide what they like and figure the rest of us will just suck it up and buy it.

When I did Software QA I would routinely break things and get told "but nobody would use the software THAT way!" They really don't have a clue what people actually do or how we use products.

Show threadocdtrekkieJan 17, 2023
@darwinwoodka @Agracey @cuchaz I definitely think that's true of modern tech companies. I do a lot of support for seniors and it's obvious designers at tech companies have literally never spoken to anyone over the age of 40.
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJan 17, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @Agracey @cuchaz Well that's pretty much when they kicked me out, in my mid 40s. ;^) Hubs is still a SW manager, but in a tech services company. Consumer side kicked him out two years ago. Us old people are "too expensive" to keep around when they can hire two kids for the price of one of us.
Show threadocdtrekkieJan 17, 2023
@darwinwoodka @Agracey @cuchaz When your business just flies by the seat of its pants, experience has marginal value. 🫠
Show threadNicole GauvreauJan 17, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @darwinwoodka @Agracey @cuchaz
Oh my goodness, to this day my favourite phones were the UT Starcomm Blitz (slider QWERTY feature phone) and the Samsung Stratosphere (slider QWERTY smartphone).
Show threadocdtrekkieJan 17, 2023
@nlgauvreau @darwinwoodka @Agracey @cuchaz I had the original DROID, the DROID 3, and the DROID 4. Phones all went downhill from there.
Show threadPär BjörklundJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ocdtrekkie I'm guessing this is why people have those large round grips on the back of their phones
Show threadJeff MartinJan 17, 2023
@Paxxi @ocdtrekkie yeah! I’ve never had one before, but I’m starting to get the impression they’re mandatory now with how ridiculous phone sizes have gotten.
Show threadtreedJan 17, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @cuchaz I ended up getting a Max and it only works at all because I have a popsocket. If not for that, there’s no way I’d be able to hold the thing.
Show threadAlex KiblerJan 17, 2023
@ocdtrekkie I've got a Max, and I feel like most apps I use are designed to not have you reach to the top very often, so it's just not a big deal for me. Reddit, Mastodon, Tiktok, Inoreader, etc., all interact with the bottom of the screen, so I never need to reach. I use swipy typing and can comfortably reach the whole keyboard, although there's also the ability to shrink the keyboard to make it more reachable
Show threadSam MinterJan 19, 2023
@ocdtrekkie @cuchaz @Linkletter iPhone 12 Pro Max user here. Almost always hold it in my left hand and use it with my right. Very rarely use one handed, except for just scrolling while reading, but that doesn’t bother me at all. Never felt a loss when I moved from the smaller size. Just happy with all the extra screen real estate.
Show threadBenjamin RahnJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz @dansinker growth mindset not helping out here? 🤪
Show threadbobbiiJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz As I UX designer I thank you!
Show threadAnya🏳️‍🌈✨Jan 16, 2023
@cuchaz so when do we get an iThumb
Show threadMarcos HuertaJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz Remember when Apple said their phones were just the right size for your thumb: https://youtu.be/Af0gtsjfy7E
Apple iPhone 5 - TV Ad - Thumb - Commercial

YouTube
Show threadTicktokJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz Target Audience.
I rarely need to use my phone as a "phone", instead wanting a pocket computer with plentiful visual realestate for reading/watching/scrolling and usually I am able to use it two handed at my desk or other things.
If i really need to use it one handed Samsung has a "one hand" mode that shrinks the screen down to a thumb reachable size just by touble tapping the home button. Looks like this.
Show threadJeff MartinJan 16, 2023
@ticktok whaatttt??? That's amazing! 
Show threadTicktokJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz yup, you can change what side it's on as well as scale it to your prefered "zoom" and it will remember it.
https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/using-one-handed-mode/
Using One Handed Mode on my Samsung Phone

FAQ for Samsung Mobile Device. Find more about 'Using One Handed Mode on my Samsung Phone' with Samsung Support.

Samsung au
Show threadSunflower Björnskalle 🌻Jan 17, 2023
@ticktok @cuchaz OH MY JEEEESUS I NEVER KNEW THIS!!!
Show threadJason CoonJan 17, 2023
@cuchaz @ticktok my Android phone (Pixel 5a) also has this, I just swipe down from the bottom of the screen. I think Apple has something similar.
https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/12652418?hl=en
Use one-handed mode - Android Accessibility Help

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 12 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Show threadTicktokJan 17, 2023
@jasoncoon @cuchaz
neat. the samsung version keeps the screen aspect ratio so you can still type and interact with it as if it's just a smaller phone. I just uploaded a video here
https://fosstodon.org/@ticktok/109701659058523680
Ticktok (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image @[email protected] idk. I have average leaning towards small hands for a guy and this is how I use my samsung Note20 with a 6.9" display, and I have a wallet case on it. but like I said, I'm the target audience for phablets though.

Fosstodon
Show threadroJan 17, 2023

@ticktok @cuchaz ios has a similar thing where swiping down on the bottom edge slides the whole screen down, so that you can reach the buttons in the top half (the bottom is then hidden). it's only made for like one tap on or to open the notifications drawer, so it goes back to normal after that one tap/swipe. still useful though.

another thing they have is you can make the keyboard narrower, leaving some blank space on one of the sides (you choose which).

Show threadSnowmanJan 16, 2023

@cuchaz There's always a solution.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4342323

Articulated finger extensions by JulienJeanroy

https://youtu.be/gaZWjItCFYgMy take on Gary Fay's articulated fingers extentions.I've made the fingers as thin as I could so I can add differents 3d printed skins later (like a skeleton skin, a monster skin, an evil witch skin, etc.).I know the thumb isn't suppose to have that many phalanx but I thought it was spookier like this.Those are custom-made for my hands so you'll have to adapt them for you.My hands (length of fingers from inner webbing to the top) :• Thumb 70mm• Index finger 80mm• Middle finger 85mm• Ring finger 85mm• Pinky finger 60mmWidth of my fingers are around 20mm.I used filament for all the axis. Easy to cut to any size needed. Burn each end and squeeze them.Edit:• 17/05/20 Updated MF_Pha_A, PIN_Pha_A and THUMB_Pha_A• 24/05/20 Uploaded the skeleton skin : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4391928• 24/05/20 Uploaded the files used to create a skin: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4392074• 30/05/20 Uploaded the Fusion 360 filePARTS YOU'LL NEED TO PRINT FOR ONE HAND :5X Axe5X Gear_A5X Gear_B3X MF_Pha_A2X MF_Pha_B3X MF_Pha_BF_Base3X MF_Pha_BF_Top4X MF_Pha_C1X MF_Pha_D_Top1X MF_Pha_D_Base2X MF_Shaft_A2X_MF_Shaft_B1X IND_Pha_B2X IND_Pha_C2X IND_Pha_D_Top2X IND_Pha_D_Base1X IND_Shaft_A1X IND_Shaft_B1X PIN_Pha_A1X PIN_Pha_B1X PIN_Pha_BF_Top1X PIN_Pha_BF_Base4X PIN_Pha_C2X PIN_Pha_D_Top2X PIN_Pha_D_Base1X PIN_Shaft_A2X PIN_Shaft_B1X THUMB_Pha_A1X THUMB_Pha_B1X THUMB_Pha_BF_Top1X THUMB_Pha_BF_Base1X THUMB_Shaft_A1X WristPARTS FOR EACH FINGERS :Thumb :1X Axe1X Gear_A1X Gear_B1X THUMB_Pha_A1X THUMB_Pha_B1X THUMB_Pha_BF_Top1X THUMB_Pha_BF_Base1X THUMB_Shaft_A2X PIN_Pha_C1X PIN_Pha_D_Top1X PIN_Pha_D_Base1x PIN_Shaft_BIndex finger :1X Axe1X Gear_A1X Gear_B1X IND_Pha_B2X IND_Pha_C1X IND_Pha_D_Top1X IND_Pha_D_Base1X IND_Shaft_A1X IND_Shaft_B1X MF_Pha_A1X MF_Pha_BF_Base1X MF_Pha_BF_TopMiddle finger :1X Axe1X Gear_A1X Gear_B1X MF_Pha_A1X MF_Pha_B1X MF_Pha_BF_Base1X MF_Pha_BF_Top2X MF_Pha_C1X MF_Pha_D_Top1X MF_Pha_D_Base1X MF_Shaft_A1X_MF_Shaft_BRing finger :1X Axe1X Gear_A1X Gear_B1X MF_Pha_A1X MF_Pha_B1X MF_Pha_BF_Base1X MF_Pha_BF_Top2X MF_Pha_C1X IND_Pha_D_Top1X IND_Pha_D_Base1X_MF_Shaft_A1X_MF_Shaft_BPinky finger :1X Axe1X Gear_A1X Gear_B1X PIN_Pha_A1X PIN_Pha_B1X PIN_Pha_BF_Top1X PIN_Pha_BF_Base2X PIN_Pha_C1X PIN_Pha_D_Top1X PIN_Pha_D_Base1X PIN_Shaft_A1X PIN_Shaft_B

Thingiverse
Show threadOskarJan 17, 2023
@Snowman @cuchaz Yes, there are always more than one solution. Extend yourself with another thumb. (Photo: UCL/Tom Stewart) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/may/robotic-third-thumb-use-can-alter-brain-representation-hand
Robotic ‘Third Thumb’ use can alter brain representation of the hand

Using a robotic ‘Third Thumb’ can impact how the hand is represented in the brain, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

UCL News
Show threadMans RJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz Clearly, the market is ready for scammy pills promising to elongate your thumbs. I mean, it seems to "work" for other body parts.
Show threadEmma BeeJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz this is fabulous. Spot on. I once spent about 10 mins persuading a phone salesperson that i simply couldn't use (or indeed hold & use without dropping) a bigger phone so I wanted the model I had chosen not their offer. They could not wrap their head round it and dismissed my concerns entirely. Bring back a 5210!
Show threadPeter van BroekhovenJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz This doesn’t account for the “chin” on older phones, so when phones first started getting big it was even worse.
Show threadSteve Boland (he/him)Jan 16, 2023
@cuchaz fight the good fight. Maybe some day there will again be a phone that is easily portable and operable!
Show threadRob MathersJan 16, 2023
@cuchaz @Moltz this is why I suspect I’ll be holding on to my 13 mini until it no longer gets OS updates.