Thinking of getting off the smartphone train….

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#3327859 5-Jan-2025 16:06

roobarb:
Geektastic: As per title really.

I’m sitting here wondering if smartphones actually add anything to my life that’s so essential it’s worth tying up money in one.

Alas two-factor authentication and banking apps make it virtually impossible to not use either an iPhone or Android phone. Logging into bank websites or payment in a browser require authentication by phone.

The bank websites have been seriously dumbed down now because they assume you have a phone, with the ASB website you could not block a card using the website, you had to use a phone. Good luck with that if your handbag is stolen.

KiwiBank would like to have a chat with you about this 2FA-new-fandangled thing you're talking about...

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3327860 5-Jan-2025 16:15

Ge0rge:

KiwiBank would like to have a chat with you about this 2FA-new-fandangled thing you're talking about...

BNZ just uses a card with a grid on, and ASB allows you to use an RSA token (which I use).

I will not install your app. Period.

Senecio

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#3327872 5-Jan-2025 17:37

I find this conversation fascinating. I for one would never give up the convenience of a smart phone. I just find it too useful (work or personal use) and they are becoming more and more necessary as others have mentioned (2FA, tickets etc...).

And all of the downsides that people talk about (social media and constantly being connected) are optional. You don't have to install attention grabbing, doom scrolling apps. You don't have to have notifications turned on. In fact, if you try you can make a smart phone quite dumb, except for the time that you want to be connected.

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#3327888 5-Jan-2025 18:32

I also have an iPhone, but not because I'm a fan of Apple, but because it's the lesser evil compared to Google. That's why everything that is called iCloud and smells of Apple servers is deactivated. Yes, I consciously forego many of the ‘conveniences’ that Apple offers in favour of my privacy. And the antisocial media anyway. Instead, I have open source replacement apps that run on my own services (e.g. Nextcloud, VPN, authentication, music, ...). So as far as possible, I only use the hardware of the Apple system and the operating system itself. However, this is certainly not a solution for normal users who don't have these options. I will use this iPhone until it either falls apart or is no longer supported by Apple with iPhoneOS. Then I will buy the cheapest iPhone (SE or its successor) again, because I don't need the latest, greatest or biggest, but the model that fulfils all my requirements. and the simple model already does that. A dumb phone is therefore out of the question for me because it cannot be equipped with the open source software that fulfils the requirements for today's intercommunication. This starts with the digital patient file, the digital ID card, digital authentication with public authorities, digital tax returns, banking, etc. You can't compete with that. Value systems are changing, whether we like it or not.

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#3327964 5-Jan-2025 22:03

I just gave an oldie whose phone was rubbish a very old iPhone 6s. Got a new battery for it for $50 and set it up with a new iCloud email address which I doubt they will ever use. Removed much of the bloatware they have no need for and haven’t added any apps except for a puzzle they enjoy. Pretty much a dumb phone as long as they leave wifi and data switched off. They are very happy on a 2 degree prepay.

This way they get a quality dumb phone but with possibilities should their abilities or interest improve.

roobarb

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#3327969 5-Jan-2025 22:25

I have a Nokia 110 2023 (TA-1543)

Dual SIM, 4G, 5 days battery life, what is not to like?

Geektastic

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#3328197 6-Jan-2025 12:23

ezbee:

That reminds me with the impending doom of older 4G phones that still use 3G for some functions.
Never mind the older 3G stuff.
( I thought I would be ok my phone is modern 4G ! )

A lot of people who are comfortable with their familiar older not smart,
or not too smart phones are going to need to upgrade in coming months ?

So there is probably going to be more questions about what to buy in modern phone market.
Second hand market will become a bit more buyer beware ?

We live about half an hour from Christchurch. I’d say my iPhone shows 3G about 50% of the time. 4G shows the other half but only one bar.

When we last had a lengthy power outage we lost all mobile coms within about 6 hours.

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#3328198 6-Jan-2025 12:25

Senecio:
I find this conversation fascinating. I for one would never give up the convenience of a smart phone. I just find it too useful (work or personal use) and they are becoming more and more necessary as others have mentioned (2FA, tickets etc...).

And all of the downsides that people talk about (social media and constantly being connected) are optional. You don't have to install attention grabbing, doom scrolling apps. You don't have to have notifications turned on. In fact, if you try you can make a smart phone quite dumb, except for the time that you want to be connected.

Yes but you do then have to pay for a phone that does all the things you don’t want to use.

Eva888

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#3328322 6-Jan-2025 15:09

Geektastic:
Senecio:

I find this conversation fascinating. I for one would never give up the convenience of a smart phone. I just find it too useful (work or personal use) and they are becoming more and more necessary as others have mentioned (2FA, tickets etc...).

And all of the downsides that people talk about (social media and constantly being connected) are optional. You don't have to install attention grabbing, doom scrolling apps. You don't have to have notifications turned on. In fact, if you try you can make a smart phone quite dumb, except for the time that you want to be connected.

Yes but you do then have to pay for a phone that does all the things you don’t want to use.

No you don’t then need the latest. You can simply buy an older second hand quality iPhone for very little and just use it as a phone. Some of the newer apps probably won’t update but at least you will get a reasonably decent camera and phone. Messaging will be easier to use ans on screen and it can be as dumb as you want it to be just keep wifi and mobile data off.

Eg a used iPhone 8 for $179 gives you a 12mp camera. It would be a better buy than a really dumb phone with buttons in my opinion.

cddt

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#3328333 6-Jan-2025 15:49

Senecio:

I find this conversation fascinating. I for one would never give up the convenience of a smart phone. I just find it too useful (work or personal use) and they are becoming more and more necessary as others have mentioned (2FA, tickets etc...).

I am the opposite. I don't see much benefit to having all these things on a device which I have to carry around. The only nice thing is having a camera with you most of the time. Other than that I would quite happily live without a smartphone...

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#3329088 8-Jan-2025 14:36

cddt:

I am the opposite. I don't see much benefit to having all these things on a device which I have to carry around. The only nice thing is having a camera with you most of the time. Other than that I would quite happily live without a smartphone...

You will have no choice

You won't be able to get into a concert or a sports event without the Ticketmaster app on your smart phone
You won't be able to Apply for a Visitor ETA to Visit Australia without the Australian ETA app on your smart phone (This doesn't apply to NZ Citizens obviously, but it does for my Wife for example who is an American citizen)
I am guessing in the next 5 years paper tickets at the airport will be a thing of the past, if that happens you won't be able to board a plane without the airlines smart phone App

All in all, it will be very hard to live your life without a smartphone

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

alasta

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#3329109 8-Jan-2025 15:31

nztim:

You will have no choice

You won't be able to get into a concert or a sports event without the Ticketmaster app on your smart phone
You won't be able to Apply for a Visitor ETA to Visit Australia without the Australian ETA app on your smart phone (This doesn't apply to NZ Citizens obviously, but it does for my Wife for example who is an American citizen)
I am guessing in the next 5 years paper tickets at the airport will be a thing of the past, if that happens you won't be able to board a plane without the airlines smart phone App
All in all, it will be very hard to live your life without a smartphone

The thought of this really concerns me. It is going to create huge social barriers for people who are already disadvantaged. The digital divide is becoming a chasm.

Technofreak

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#3329115 8-Jan-2025 15:56

alasta:

nztim:

You will have no choice

You won't be able to get into a concert or a sports event without the Ticketmaster app on your smart phone
You won't be able to Apply for a Visitor ETA to Visit Australia without the Australian ETA app on your smart phone (This doesn't apply to NZ Citizens obviously, but it does for my Wife for example who is an American citizen)
I am guessing in the next 5 years paper tickets at the airport will be a thing of the past, if that happens you won't be able to board a plane without the airlines smart phone App
All in all, it will be very hard to live your life without a smartphone

The thought of this really concerns me. It is going to create huge social barriers for people who are already disadvantaged. The digital divide is becoming a chasm.

I think nztim might be possibly over stating the situation.

For example the Australian ETA has to be applied for via the app BUT this is not the only way to get a Visitor Visa, so it's not the end of the world if you don't have a smart phone.

It's my guess you'll still be able to download and print airline/concert/sports tickets complete with the bar codes for scanning at boarding/entry points.

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SpartanVXL

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#3329168 8-Jan-2025 16:22

If the QR code payment system aus is making is anything like China’s Wechat/Alipay then it will get increasingly difficult to those unable/unwilling to use a smart device.

It is incredibly convenient to use as long as you are in the ecosystem.

nztim

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#3329173 8-Jan-2025 16:30

Technofreak:

For example the Australian ETA has to be applied for via the app BUT this is not the only way to get a Visitor Visa, so it's not the end of the world if you don't have a smart phone.

Sure pay $195 AUD for a visitor visa and wait between 8-29 days, you can buy an entry level smart phone for $300

Technofreak:

It's my guess you'll still be able to download and print airline/concert/sports tickets complete with the bar codes for scanning at boarding/entry points.

Alot of Ticketmaster events now use Safetix technology, this is a rotating barcode within the app, meaning you cannot "print" your ticket as that rotating barcode will only work for 30 seconds then it changes

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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