@neil No, but this is something I've been actively researching for ... an embarrassingly long time (months) ... with low satisfaction. But as this is on my current to-do list, this toot doesn't count as procrastination 😺

I have a perfectly serviceable early-2000s flip phone which I'd love to reactivate ... but it won't talk to any current-generation mobile cellular networks.

I've looked at current low-feature phones, with interest in the Light Phone and Punkt MP02. Both ... have drawbacks, though I'll likely end up with one or the other.

The MP02 lacks comprehensive protocol coverage, and hence is limited to a subset of local mobile providers, unfortunately the ones I'd most prefer not giving my business. (I'd prefer not giving any of them my business, but that seems unlikely).

The MP02 does offer integrated Signal messaging, which is a strong plus.

The Light Phone is spendy but is also compatible with more carriers, which ... will probably win me. There are a couple of revs on the initial design, though I'd favour e-ink (original) over OLED (LPIII).

What both the MP02 and LP offer is tethering, which means your phone becomes your no-WiFi backup for Internet access, enabling you to use a more-featured, non-telco device for comms.

Which suggests another path:

• Dumbphone for critical on-the-road comms, as needed.
• Dumphone as cellular modem.
• Small-form-factor PC/laptop as primary comms device.

Palmtop PCs (e.g., the Psion 3) are no longer of this world, which is a shame. But smaller laptops, e.g., Framework's 12" (8.45 x 287.00 x 213.88mm, 1.3 kg), are effectively a far-more-capable larger tablet (I've been carrying a 13.3" Onyx BOOX for the past four years), without all the handicapping and crappification of Android. With a Bluetooth earpiece that becomes its own vox comms device, and you have full access to any other comms protocol through your Linux distro of choice, with a full keyboard. The Framework 12 is convertible (360° hinge) with stylus support. It doesn't have an e-ink screen module (yet?), but ... I can live with that. For anything other than on-the-run use, it's likely superior to any smartphone or tablet.

The other issue is vox comms management. I'd prefer not being directly on the PSTN network, so what I'd really like is that my "phone" accepts (and mostly makes) calls to only one other point: a VOIP relay which intercepts all incoming calls and redirects outgoing. Incoming traffic is then limited to only those numbers I allow, or which pass some screening mechanism. And my mobile telco provider gets a Very Boring profile of whom it is I'm in contact with. Whether or not this ideal VOIP service / capability exists I'm not sure, but that's what I'm looking into.

And yes, it would be possible to ditch the phone entirely for a pure-play modem, though the ability to make calls directly in an emergency has its arguments.

#Dumbphones #Featurephones #DeathOfTelephony

@neil

This was years ago so ymmv, but I had a #kaiOS phone. It was awful, at any time of the day I'd get a notification there was an update for the Youtube app, but upon opening their app store it would tell me the updated app was not compatible with my phone. After a while I'd get a notification there was an update for the Youtube app, but upon opening their app store it would tell me the updated app was not compatible with my phone. After a while I'd get a notification... you get the idea

@neil while I haven’t, I know about one that’s just used for receiving 2FA SMS codes at work. I think it’s the one device we have to replace when GSM is shut off. If you’re looking for one, make sure it can access LTE networks.

@neil Doro seniors' phone. Unremittingly terrible (couple of years ago).

@neil Still have my Palm Treo. Worked well and was much nicer to use for texting than a Nokia. Had it stolen once and got it back because the thief wasn't able to acquire a charger (a family member passed it back via via). Replaceable battery too. The camera was a bit of a joke.

@neil I got my mum a Doro; it works fine for her; I really don't want to have to try teaching her how to use a smart phone.

@neil

depending on your definition of "modern" (it was a couple years ago), it was an interesting blend of two extremes:

• at one end it was a delightfully peaceful experience—no app notifications, no lure of web or social media or weather or whatever. Just calls and texts (and calculator & alarms 😆) And the small size was a nice benefit.

• at the other end, the keypad input was infuriatingly slow compared to swiping on a smart-phone on-screen keyboard. I reached for abbreviations much more frequently where I normally spell everything out on a smartphone.

@neil We have bought one for our old mother who is legally blind but can see a bit. It has big physical buttons with big contrasting numbers that can be programmed to dial set numbers when long pressed. It's very useful to her.

@neil elderly relatives have a Nokia and a random brand cheapo phone. The Nokia is way more usable.
The problem increasingly though is nobody uses a phone for phonecalls or even picks up if phoned as only spammers make phone calls and everyone they know is on WhatsApp/Discord etc. Or with services for example if you use the local taxi you get a tracking URL and no other way of seeing when it's due.

@neil I just rummaged through my draw of phones and can't see them so I guess they aren't in my office..

Afaik it was https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-Single-Mobile-Phone-2017-Black/dp/B074PZBQZS

@neil I have some "burners" and use them if I know I'm going somewhere sketchy, usually as a backup.

My main positives are:

1) Battery life
2) Lack of distraction
3) Confidence in Audio calls.

RE #3, there is something about the way I know when I pick up that phone to do it's job (99.9% it's job is to make a call) I know I'm going to get a great connectivity and audio experience.

If I was to hazard a guess as to why I'd guess it's because less antennas = better signal but IDK.

@neil I have a Nokia for work, and it does all I need - make and receive calls. It's robust and has a battery life measured in weeks.

A couple of years ago, though, I tried reactivating my old Motorola Razr and gave up quite quickly. I could cope with just calls and SMS and the social disconnection, but not with typing SMS with T9 and no keyboard, let alone predictive text. 5 minutes to let my wife know I'd be 'home soon xxx' was too annoying.

@neil I own a couple of new Nokia dumb phones.

Except for the look, they’re unchanged from 2002.

@neil I got my mother a dumb phone from Alcatel. Very easy to set up, just insert the SIM card and power on the device. Removing the SIM PIN was a breeze, too.

@neil I bought a non-smart phone designed for older users to have a look at how it worked. It's in a drawer somewhere.

I remember it being a whole lot of "meh". I'm tempted by the Nokia rebooted phones just for curiosity.

I'm still not convinced that building legacy devices with crappy UX is a good thing. Surely education of how to use a modern phone would be more cost effective. The older generation isn't stupid and both iOS and Android have a point and drool UX that's designed to be easy to use. Most young children can work them out quickly; that should present no problem to the older generation.

@neil 2/2
I'd be more tempted to configure a more locked down/limited smartphone than goto something basic.

@neil define "non smart" even most of the Nokias these days have some subset of apps (whats app etc) and a browser, Just the UX is pretty poor trying to navigate, its still like 2003.

I'm not sure I'd want to go to a fully dumb phone anyway with just PSTN calls and SMS, that network is 95% spam these days! anyone I care about talking to is on Signal/iMessage.

I did find some interesting android launchers that simplified stuff when setting up a phone for a freinds elderly mother 1/2

@neil Recently got my daughter a Nokia brick phone. TBH was pretty disappointed, I thought something simple would at least be of good quality, but it has all sorts of bugs and issues. Can't even keep texts in the correct order.

@neil yw