As someone who has recently researched the neo-dumbphone and dumb phone market (and pre-ordered the minimal phone from minimal company), this option kind of seems like a mess. The idea of getting...
As someone who has recently researched the neo-dumbphone and dumb phone market (and pre-ordered the minimal phone from minimal company), this option kind of seems like a mess. The idea of getting a second phone to just occassionally use, instead of fully switching over to a neo-dumbphone or doing software restrictions on your main phone seems wasteful. Also the included apps kind of seem weirdly picked (and maybe what the developers personally use instead of what the majority of people need)
I’ve noticed this pattern with all of these types of phones. They almost all have some selection of apps but they vary slightly from platform to platform. Every company has a different idea of...
Also the included apps kind of seem weirdly picked (and maybe what the developers personally use instead of what the majority of people need)
I’ve noticed this pattern with all of these types of phones. They almost all have some selection of apps but they vary slightly from platform to platform. Every company has a different idea of what’s considered an “essential” app. And every person has a different list too. For example, I might consider streaming music (which this one has) to be essential but others might not care at all.
But even this one which I am assuming is running android (since all the others use android) seems weird to pair with Apple Music. The inclusionof Apple Music and Uber is what for me felt kind of...
But even this one which I am assuming is running android (since all the others use android) seems weird to pair with Apple Music. The inclusionof Apple Music and Uber is what for me felt kind of weird for included apps. I am fine with either including music streaming or a music player, but I think for streaming it should be the choice of installing the streaming service of your choice.
Edit: one of the deciding factors for me on the minimal phone (poor name IMO), was that they left Google play store access so that users could install their minimal list of apps, compared to something like the litephone that has it locked down (despite running android)
Apple Music actually supports third party clients through an official API, so it's possible they chose the service because they can tightly integrate it with their custom software rather than...
Apple Music actually supports third party clients through an official API, so it's possible they chose the service because they can tightly integrate it with their custom software rather than having to distribute the official APK from the Play Store.
Spotify does as well, but I am unsure exactly what Spotify's API access is like (despite currently working with it, but also using a third party library to access it, Spotipy).
Spotify does as well, but I am unsure exactly what Spotify's API access is like (despite currently working with it, but also using a third party library to access it, Spotipy).
The modularity is pretty stupid as well. It's been tried so many times and it's just not a smart move. The only option o could think of that may make sense is purpose built dongles but that's...
The modularity is pretty stupid as well. It's been tried so many times and it's just not a smart move. The only option o could think of that may make sense is purpose built dongles but that's another can of worms.
Agreed this seems like a pretty pointless option, I can see who would want this over other ones.
Yeah, the modularity seems like they just couldn't decide between a numpad and a keyboard, so they settled the indecision with modularity. The phone just seems to lack commitment to me, which is...
Yeah, the modularity seems like they just couldn't decide between a numpad and a keyboard, so they settled the indecision with modularity. The phone just seems to lack commitment to me, which is concerning because how long will they support this device
I'm kind of offended by them to say they want to "protect you from harmful technology" while picking the apps that will protect me as a consumer. I understand the rationale, but I think it's...
Also the included apps kind of seem weirdly picked (and maybe what the developers personally use instead of what the majority of people need)
I'm kind of offended by them to say they want to "protect you from harmful technology" while picking the apps that will protect me as a consumer.
I understand the rationale, but I think it's offensive and paternalistic for the user.
I would be, but I am still waiting for mine (since it is in pre-order). I expect to receive mine in late May, maybe early June. I plan on writing a review once I have used it for a bit, as a...
I would be, but I am still waiting for mine (since it is in pre-order). I expect to receive mine in late May, maybe early June. I plan on writing a review once I have used it for a bit, as a longer post on my shift towards dedicated devices instead of the do-it-all device of a smartphone
I don't know what they do for a living but I don't know anyone that would consider losing $249USD to be "inexpensive". Cheap for a phone, sure, but I could get a OnePlus Nord N30 for that price...
Sidephone acts as a perfect burner, giving you a 2nd device to take out at night, so that your expensive electronics can remain safely locked away at your accommodation.
I don't know what they do for a living but I don't know anyone that would consider losing $249USD to be "inexpensive". Cheap for a phone, sure, but I could get a OnePlus Nord N30 for that price and you can bet your ass I'd be upset at losing it.
The prices are just one reason why I think all of these "second phone" concepts are dumb. Why would I pay that much for a less capable phone if I could just buy a less capable phone that costs...
The prices are just one reason why I think all of these "second phone" concepts are dumb. Why would I pay that much for a less capable phone if I could just buy a less capable phone that costs nearly 10 times less? Not to mention the cost of adding a second line to their phone plan.
These products honestly feel a bit like they are taking advantage of people who have more money than sense. Sure, $249 isn't an astronomical figure, but with the amount of time they spend setting it up and learning how to use it, they could have just learned how to use the software restrictions built into their existing phone and avoid creating e-waste
Exactly--if the value proposition is having a burner phone, it's trivially cheap to get a prepaid with plenty of minutes for the cost of a dinner for two. If the value prop is having tactile...
Exactly--if the value proposition is having a burner phone, it's trivially cheap to get a prepaid with plenty of minutes for the cost of a dinner for two.
If the value prop is having tactile buttons then well, fine, but while people are out there who wish they had physical buttons on phones back, those phones already exist and for cheaper than this. Those same phones are also already way more restricted if that's the appeal. The modularity is a solution in search of a problem and while kind of a fun concept if you were just saying it out loud, doesn't have an audience or a real reason to exist.
I think this is the first one I have seen marketing itself as a second phone. The other minimal/distraction-free phones are marketed as replacing your current smartphone. I do agree (and have...
I think this is the first one I have seen marketing itself as a second phone. The other minimal/distraction-free phones are marketed as replacing your current smartphone. I do agree (and have researched it), that it is cheaper to buy a low end smartphone and put in software restrictions than to go with these style of phones. If you already have a working phone, it makes more sense to create software restrictions than to go out and buy a phone with these restrictions and spend more. If you are buying a new phone, it is cheaper to buy a lower end smartphone and do the restrictions yourself. However, with that approach you end up compromising on things that for me were not worth it, and at least with the neo-dumbphones I was looking at those had e-Ink displays which seemed appealing to me.
I've seen one or two other phones that manufacturers have suggested to get as a second phone before. I couldn't tell you what they were called though; maybe one of them was this one at one point....
I've seen one or two other phones that manufacturers have suggested to get as a second phone before. I couldn't tell you what they were called though; maybe one of them was this one at one point.
In any case, their own FAQ seems to think you shouldn't buy this In their own FAQ they say this about buying a used phone instead:
We're not looking to sell you things you don't need. A used Android or Apple phone repurposed to be a minimal phone is a fantastic option, and better for the environment too.
Later in that same answer they say this:
Sidephone feels like a gadget. Plus, there's nothing more efficient that tactile buttons. Nothing beats the speed of clicking a button to launch an app or function that you have mapped to it.
Honestly, that made me think that they probably wanted to make and sell a phone with physical buttons as the actual selling point, and the time and effort to make it modular like they do seems like pretty good supporting evidence. My guess is that they were not able to get decent prices on good SoCs so they decided to pivot to this concept instead. After all, "reduced" phones seem to be a relatively popular niche at the moment.
I'm just upset that there aren't any phone-sized e-readers. Not e-ink phones; e-readers that I can easily slip in my pocket so that I can read when I might otherwise mess around on my phone. I...
at least with the neo-dumbphones I was looking at those had e-Ink displays which seemed appealing to me.
I'm just upset that there aren't any phone-sized e-readers. Not e-ink phones; e-readers that I can easily slip in my pocket so that I can read when I might otherwise mess around on my phone. I already have a phone that u can use for normal smartphone things. I want to keep that and I don't want to spend $200 when I don't want any of the phone features. Just give me a small Kindle!
People who have the money to waste on this surely have other things they could waste less money on and end up with a better solution. If you really really must have a second device to limit what...
People who have the money to waste on this surely have other things they could waste less money on and end up with a better solution. If you really really must have a second device to limit what you can do on it to help your addiction, seems like parental controls you put on that second device will surely be enough.
My biggest gripe with this second phone model is that carriers don’t offer sharing one number across two devices. Having to set up a second phone number or keep both phones with you defeats the...
My biggest gripe with this second phone model is that carriers don’t offer sharing one number across two devices. Having to set up a second phone number or keep both phones with you defeats the purpose of having a stripped down phone imo.
Do any carriers? I'm UK based but would love to have a travel/going out phone, low cost, doesn't matter as much if I lose or damage it. Then leave my Fold 9 Pro at home. I would even be ok with a...
Do any carriers? I'm UK based but would love to have a travel/going out phone, low cost, doesn't matter as much if I lose or damage it. Then leave my Fold 9 Pro at home. I would even be ok with a second number if there was a way to easily redirect calls, texts, WhatsApp to it.
I haven't read much into this one, but these "simple" phones seem to be lacking in a LOT of ways to me. If it is simole or light or whatever and the main purpose is to get rid of our bad habits...
I haven't read much into this one, but these "simple" phones seem to be lacking in a LOT of ways to me.
If it is simole or light or whatever and the main purpose is to get rid of our bad habits and have the phone jusr as a phone (and maybe calendar and maybe camera, but no other apps), why is it sometimes/often paired with powerful hardware? ie. Lightphone 3 has 8GB RAM and 128GB space, itlikely has some higher tier SoC as well. This raises cost for no obvious reason - it is supposed to be light, it shouldn't need powerful hardware. Ahh, it runs modern Android and that is the sole reason it has to have powerful hardware...
These phones often lack web browser. I understand that having browser won't rid you of your bad habits, but sometimes you want to read news, you want to search for your next train before you head for train station...
Price... There are really dumb phones that cost 40-80€ that can make calls and send text messages, some can do wifi hotspots. Why should I buy 400-600€ phone that does the same and not really that much more?
I'm not anti-simple phones, actually I think people shouldn't be spending all day on their phones/online. But these often overpriced phones with artificial locks won't do. Make it <200€ phone with low-end SoC, not overinflated storage/RAM, basic camera to catch those instant moments and kill most of the background Android things (to save resources; you probaly don't need them when you are going to cut functionality anyway) and then just build on top of that.
As someone who has recently researched the neo-dumbphone and dumb phone market (and pre-ordered the minimal phone from minimal company), this option kind of seems like a mess. The idea of getting a second phone to just occassionally use, instead of fully switching over to a neo-dumbphone or doing software restrictions on your main phone seems wasteful. Also the included apps kind of seem weirdly picked (and maybe what the developers personally use instead of what the majority of people need)
I’ve noticed this pattern with all of these types of phones. They almost all have some selection of apps but they vary slightly from platform to platform. Every company has a different idea of what’s considered an “essential” app. And every person has a different list too. For example, I might consider streaming music (which this one has) to be essential but others might not care at all.
But even this one which I am assuming is running android (since all the others use android) seems weird to pair with Apple Music. The inclusionof Apple Music and Uber is what for me felt kind of weird for included apps. I am fine with either including music streaming or a music player, but I think for streaming it should be the choice of installing the streaming service of your choice.
Edit: one of the deciding factors for me on the minimal phone (poor name IMO), was that they left Google play store access so that users could install their minimal list of apps, compared to something like the litephone that has it locked down (despite running android)
Apple Music actually supports third party clients through an official API, so it's possible they chose the service because they can tightly integrate it with their custom software rather than having to distribute the official APK from the Play Store.
Spotify does as well, but I am unsure exactly what Spotify's API access is like (despite currently working with it, but also using a third party library to access it, Spotipy).
The modularity is pretty stupid as well. It's been tried so many times and it's just not a smart move. The only option o could think of that may make sense is purpose built dongles but that's another can of worms.
Agreed this seems like a pretty pointless option, I can see who would want this over other ones.
Yeah, the modularity seems like they just couldn't decide between a numpad and a keyboard, so they settled the indecision with modularity. The phone just seems to lack commitment to me, which is concerning because how long will they support this device
I'm kind of offended by them to say they want to "protect you from harmful technology" while picking the apps that will protect me as a consumer.
I understand the rationale, but I think it's offensive and paternalistic for the user.
OT but any chance you'd be willing to draft a review?
I would be, but I am still waiting for mine (since it is in pre-order). I expect to receive mine in late May, maybe early June. I plan on writing a review once I have used it for a bit, as a longer post on my shift towards dedicated devices instead of the do-it-all device of a smartphone
someone smarter than me could write a good article titled "anti-consumerism, commodified" and phones like this could be Exhibit A
I don't have any useful commentary to provide, but - is that files app icon just ripped directly from iOS..?
Yep... it's pretty much identical. Sidephone's image:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/674a0f3b0abba6550e72ff87/67513f62ada2121bf83497fa_files.png
iOS File App icon:
https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/7WUAS350/images/ios/ios11-files-app-topic-icon.png
That's not a very good sign when it comes to the trustworthiness of this company or their apps, IMO.
I don't know what they do for a living but I don't know anyone that would consider losing $249USD to be "inexpensive". Cheap for a phone, sure, but I could get a OnePlus Nord N30 for that price and you can bet your ass I'd be upset at losing it.
The prices are just one reason why I think all of these "second phone" concepts are dumb. Why would I pay that much for a less capable phone if I could just buy a less capable phone that costs nearly 10 times less? Not to mention the cost of adding a second line to their phone plan.
These products honestly feel a bit like they are taking advantage of people who have more money than sense. Sure, $249 isn't an astronomical figure, but with the amount of time they spend setting it up and learning how to use it, they could have just learned how to use the software restrictions built into their existing phone and avoid creating e-waste
Exactly--if the value proposition is having a burner phone, it's trivially cheap to get a prepaid with plenty of minutes for the cost of a dinner for two.
If the value prop is having tactile buttons then well, fine, but while people are out there who wish they had physical buttons on phones back, those phones already exist and for cheaper than this. Those same phones are also already way more restricted if that's the appeal. The modularity is a solution in search of a problem and while kind of a fun concept if you were just saying it out loud, doesn't have an audience or a real reason to exist.
I think this is the first one I have seen marketing itself as a second phone. The other minimal/distraction-free phones are marketed as replacing your current smartphone. I do agree (and have researched it), that it is cheaper to buy a low end smartphone and put in software restrictions than to go with these style of phones. If you already have a working phone, it makes more sense to create software restrictions than to go out and buy a phone with these restrictions and spend more. If you are buying a new phone, it is cheaper to buy a lower end smartphone and do the restrictions yourself. However, with that approach you end up compromising on things that for me were not worth it, and at least with the neo-dumbphones I was looking at those had e-Ink displays which seemed appealing to me.
I've seen one or two other phones that manufacturers have suggested to get as a second phone before. I couldn't tell you what they were called though; maybe one of them was this one at one point.
In any case, their own FAQ seems to think you shouldn't buy this In their own FAQ they say this about buying a used phone instead:
Later in that same answer they say this:
Honestly, that made me think that they probably wanted to make and sell a phone with physical buttons as the actual selling point, and the time and effort to make it modular like they do seems like pretty good supporting evidence. My guess is that they were not able to get decent prices on good SoCs so they decided to pivot to this concept instead. After all, "reduced" phones seem to be a relatively popular niche at the moment.
I'm just upset that there aren't any phone-sized e-readers. Not e-ink phones; e-readers that I can easily slip in my pocket so that I can read when I might otherwise mess around on my phone. I already have a phone that u can use for normal smartphone things. I want to keep that and I don't want to spend $200 when I don't want any of the phone features. Just give me a small Kindle!
People who have the money to waste on this surely have other things they could waste less money on and end up with a better solution. If you really really must have a second device to limit what you can do on it to help your addiction, seems like parental controls you put on that second device will surely be enough.
My biggest gripe with this second phone model is that carriers don’t offer sharing one number across two devices. Having to set up a second phone number or keep both phones with you defeats the purpose of having a stripped down phone imo.
Do any carriers? I'm UK based but would love to have a travel/going out phone, low cost, doesn't matter as much if I lose or damage it. Then leave my Fold 9 Pro at home. I would even be ok with a second number if there was a way to easily redirect calls, texts, WhatsApp to it.
I haven't read much into this one, but these "simple" phones seem to be lacking in a LOT of ways to me.
I'm not anti-simple phones, actually I think people shouldn't be spending all day on their phones/online. But these often overpriced phones with artificial locks won't do. Make it <200€ phone with low-end SoC, not overinflated storage/RAM, basic camera to catch those instant moments and kill most of the background Android things (to save resources; you probaly don't need them when you are going to cut functionality anyway) and then just build on top of that.