Discussion
I used to enjoy getting a new phone, or - better still - a new PDA.
Now, it feels like an inconvenience, which is why I have been putting it off.
Time that I could better spend elsewhere.
But I need to sort it soon, as security patches for my current device are ending.
@neil Same here, I would rather keep my current phone for environmental reasons and also because migrating data never works (e.g. I lost all my WhatsApp messages last time).
Even my Fairphone ran out of security support after a few years and I had to replace it, and having separate phones for personal and business doubles the effort!
@neil I'm having to recently start looking due to a few issues with my current despite not being that old.
My main annoyance is that most of them keep getting bigger, if I want one with a smaller screen most are priced higher than cheaper models.
@Ryanteck I would absolutely go for something a bit thicker and with a longer battery life.
@neil i wish i experienced where every phone was different and unique in their own way, now every phone just feels the same, yeah i got some excitement switching to android in 2024, but now it all just feels like the same thing and it feels pointless
I can understand that! And I used to relish that enjoyment.
Now, I think that I want the opposite: if I need a new device, then I want it to operate in the same way as my old device as easily as possible, while remaining all under my control.
I have already removed quite a few apps, to use their web sites instead.
I could probably use termux to ssh into a server for some stuff too, but that is not massively convenient most of the time.
But I wonder just how few apps I could retain, while still having a usable (for me) mobile device.
Notifications (e.g. calendar alerts), and things which rely on on-device sensors, might be a challenge...
@neil I suppose it depends a little on what information you would like to have available on your phone while offline
I've a map app, a dictionary app, a podcast app, a music player, ebook reader and office file viewer apps
I could log onto some internet site to get those, but local storage is handier for those.
I've some camera apps that process imagery, a speedometer and gps quality app, that use local hardware
@neil don't know what it's like your side but we need apps to engage with our banks and they only release for iOS, android, and Huawei
Some banks yes, some banks no.
I use the website only for three banks, but I use the apps for others (for convenience).
@neil ...doesn't/don't your data/apps come with you when you upgrade?
I will find out, I guess!
@neil @interpipes They can be transferred across, but it's a huge pain and last time my phone also came pre-installed with a bunch of garbage I don't want and can't get rid of (even via bridge). It's exhausting.
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