Social media profits from making us feel bad, but what does it take to really take a step back?

On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @caseyjohnston to discuss dumbing down her smartphone and her new book “A Physical Education.”

Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/278_the_case_for_a_digital_detox_w_casey_johnston

Gibt es ein #dumbphone mit Signal?

My followers might've noticed a surge of activity from me on Mastodon in the last few days.

So the story is that I was sticking to #KaiOS feature phones to not have social media with me everywhere. But now my feature phone is broken and I can't find a new one to buy. KaiOS is falling. So I borrowed my brother's old Android phone.

And I installed Tusky Mastodon app on it. Then I was encouraged to have more activity on Mastodon and spending more time in it. And even spending sleep hours to browse mastodon in bed, which is very unhealthy for sleep.

Now, I truly understand that having social media with me on my phone is a bad idea. Yesterday I uninstalled Tusky from the phone. I think having Mastodon on my PC is enough for me.

Also I do really wish I could have a feature phone like KaiOS phones.

So, when these Apple devices die (or rather, when the updates have slowed them down enough, and the battery has depleted to the point of not getting through the day - which should be next year or the year after, if the pattern holds)… my next devices will be some of the following, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting them to work… any recommendations?

Phone options:
- Pine Phone
- Fair Phone
- Murena
- Librem
- Pro 1x
- Volla Phone
- SageTea XFone

Watches:
- Any of these with AsteroidOS: https://wiki.asteroidos.org/index.php/Category:Watches
- PineTime
- ZSwatch:
https://github.com/ZSWatch/ZSWatch

Any suggestions or advice?

Got my hands again on a #cellphone that I regularly used years ago, where the original #keypad stopped working and I replaced it with tactile mini switches and attached the replacemend keypad with silicone to the device. Was durable, and still works :-).

Phone is still used irregularly.

WDR 5 Neugier genügt – „Comeback der Dumbphones?“ | 8.4.2025

https://digitalcourage.video/w/rVAnHZy93qhDMr3RuSsNQn

Today we're going to talk about something that one of us has considered buying in the past, but opted for a smartphone with /e/OS instead. But since we like the concept and design, let's talk about Punkt , the "detox" and pro-privacy smartphone .

Do you think we really need all those apps that are installed in our smartphones?

In our world of "app-obesity", Punkt offers a breath of fresh air with a simpler approach to technology.

Petter Neby , a Norwegian entrepreneur, founded Punkt in 2008, a company that create products that focus on the things we really need without any of the distractions we don't.

Punkt is based in Switzerland , it had around 50 employees and offers 2 different mobile models:

The 1st is the MC02. It has basic digital tools and focuses on privacy and security - email, calendar, contacts, notes, storage and a built-in VPN. They have an agreement with #Threema, which comes pre-installed. This model has a subscription and costs around CHF 12/month (1st year free).

The 2nd one, the MP02, is a classic #dumbphone. The interface is 100% text-based, with no icons, and it has the most basic functions of a telephone.

#Punkt devices use AphyOS, an OS based on #GrapheneOS developed by Apostrophy AG ( https://www.apostrophy.ch).

Check their website to see all features:

https://www.punkt.ch

I've switched to a dumb phone. I'm tired of carrying a little focus vampire in my pocket.

So far, I'm surprised at how often I want to ask the internet a question. Instead I write them in the notebook for later.

I'm calling friends a lot more. #dumbphone #lowtech

I decided to get a Sunbeam Wireless feature phone instead of a smartphone. It's an upgrade from what I have now, with maps & navigation, weather & radar, and to make typing a text or note easier than the usual T9 input, it has both voice to text and a touchscreen with onscreen keyboard, though that looks pretty small so I'm not sure how easy that will be to use.

It can also act as a hotspot so I could use my little tablet if I need internet access for something while out.

So I get most of the features I would want a smartphone for, without a smartphone or Google, while supporting a small local business (they're in the state next door to me).

A mobile shop in Helwan has this amazing display of #retro mobile phones. I really miss the Motorola Razr V3. They are not for sale.

"Your sock is hiding in the dryer outside of eyesight."

JohnnyGunn tells a funny story about calling the library to find out the location of their missing sock in pablocake's Ask Me post about a phone hotline (instead of Google) for questions. It should come as no surprise to Mefites that in this, as in so many things, librarians are our heroes! (or, as Mournful Bagel Song puts it, "unearthly beings of pure knowledge")

https://bestof.metafilter.com/2024/11/The-librarian-knows

Just came through this mini #documentary about #dumbphone users. As someone who is on the path to switch to #digitalminimalism in the long term (after some shorter experiments), it's good to see other people's thoughts about this topic.

My primary goal currently is that I want to reduce the purpose of my #smartphone to be used as an LTE-enabled tablet to be a tool in my backpack for emergencies, and point-and-shoot #photography device in case I see something interesting.

Instead, I'll use a #flipphone and a dedicated #MP3Player when I'm on the go. For communication, I'll use a smartwatch tethered to my smartphone and type answers on it only when it's necessary. Otherwise, I'll just let myself be bored and inspired, looking around myself.

I also got a cool #Linux based #RetroGaming #handheld #console, so that, my #ebook reader and video essays on #YouTube will be my entertainment.

I know, this sounds a lot. However, multiple single-purpose devices make more sense in the grand scheme of things. They make you more conscious about your digital life and condition you to live more, be more present. They also last more battery-wise, which is a huge bonus!

Especially now, when the world is on fire, I think this became more important than ever before. Time for a change for the better!

https://youtu.be/nQXmgP8qenE?si=GTwUZgjvsMfjbrse

Back on #mastodon now as my only form of social media. Have been going through a bit of a digital detox, which feels amazing but strange since my day job is #php / web development.

A month ago I purchased a #dumbphone and have been loving it. Now I’ve just acquired a #fujifilm EVO to take photos when I’m without my smartphone.

Going on a 2 week trip Nov 1st and will try to use only my dumb phone and camera the whole trip, but I’ll be back on Mastodon after.

https://lo-fone.com

Part of me is like "ooh, interesting" and a bigger part of me is channelling Brenda From Bristol.