Mastodawn

Rob Connolly 🇳🇿 🇬🇧10h ago

The smartphone really has become a techno-socio-economic Gordian knot, that I can't see a way to unravel.

We've pushed everything into this one place (UNIX philosophy RIP) to the extent that it's impossible to even define all the use cases you have, let alone start replacing them.

And that's even before you get to the random system you might encounter demands immediate internet access or use of their app.

2/?

I don't think that Linux phones, or alternative Android ROMs solve the problems, because the hardware is invariably expensive, pushing out a large portion of the population (i.e. everyone who doesn't buy a flagship phone every 2 years).

That's even leaving aside the fact that most Linux phones still don't work for everyday use (no blame assigned here, this is just a fact).

3/?

I'm somewhat convinced that the solution lies in pushing as many tasks as possible over to a laptop/desktop. That leaves all of the mobile uses cases, where you don't have access to a computer.

Then there's those tasks that require some hardware, mostly mobile music/podcasts and photos/video for me and the need to have some form of cell phone for emergencies. Cost becomes a factor again.

4/?

And those mobile use cases are the real killer apps, the ones that sucked us in: basically email (or some equivalent notification/messaging tool) and maps.

Notifications/messaging should be all async anyway, I just need to decide how urgent things are.

Maps is a hard one. Having access to that when out an about is almost completely irreplaceable.

5/?

When I'm using public transport, I really prefer to use the native wayfinding of the system in question rather than have to stand about looking at my phone.

However, when driving to unfamiliar places it's admittedly really useful.

Also having access to all the PT info in real time is bonkers. We've forgotten how difficult it used to be to get around.

6/6 (possibly, for now).

Rob Connolly 🇳🇿 🇬🇧

I guess were there a working, reasonably priced ($300-400 NZD) Linux phone, that would probably fulfill my use cases.

However, it would need to be completely open and reflashable, down to being able to patch the source if necessary, because I will never verify my identity or my age with any computer that I own. I will simply make it lie on my behalf and good luck stopping me.

7/6 (!)

dark_stang 8h ago

@rob if you don't need any android apps, or can at least give up on reliable push notifications from them, the Furi phone is probably the closest you can get.

I tried to daily drive one for a week. But I needed some notifications for work apps to be reliable.

Rob Connolly 🇳🇿 🇬🇧7h ago

@dark_stang That's another expensive phone. There needs to be something in the 200 USD bracket for it to be accessible to the majority of people. Thanks for the suggestion though.