How to downgrade from Smartphone to Flipphone (with iMessage on Android!)

[@Sodoffshotgun]

I scrolled up for a little while in this comment section and my hope for the future now exists again. Especially the part about coming out with new flip phones preferably without cameras in them and the part about older tech having offline/off grid huge use capabilities.

[@AutoAndChill]

I read it on my phone... irony

[@JohnnyBGoode9]

One of my friends got that CAT phone two weeks ago and won't shut up about it. He's thrilled to be back to a flip phone.

[@RetroRecipes]

That's great that it made him happy. That's all that matters really!

[@gerald8573]

Only thing I heard about CAT phones were that they broke after a few months. 😵‍💫 Hope that’s not true.

[@EM-do9em]

Oh God it's a cool concept, but this channel is tanking for me.

[@gman83090]

This is a funny coincidence but I'm actually watching my KZbin videos on a modern cat phone

[@SlimRetro]

Not going to lie.. I have it and love it

[@nerdygeezer78]

The thing i loved about the old phones was they all looked so different from each other. Modern phones barely change as each new model comes out and they all look the same..... Souless

[@davidhdez-gil1857]

Same thing with cars

[@nerdygeezer78]

@@davidhdez-gil1857 agreed

[@kylesanders8276]

BigTechigarchs want us in just as orderly and souless of a fashion as the time vampires that they produce

[@groovyshoos5200]

I remember when phones were getting smaller and smaller and I was waiting for the day we could a tiny phone like in Zoolander, but then those damned iPhones came out and changed the whole landscape and phone's became big giant bricks again. The other awesome thing about those old Nokia's is the battery would last for days between charges, you could nearly always just step out and not have to worry about how much charge was remaining.

[@aufildutempscouture9406]

not two days but one week. ;)

[@mrlion1102]

"This is exactly what I need and would be doing", said my brain while I was sitting in my chair and continued to watch KZbin and my Facebook feed.... There really is a big challenge to reduce the phone (and TV) addiction, both at home and away. Nice thoughts and good ideas to still be able to live in the society and what it forces you into have.

[@DWINC]

Get a Brick. Look it up

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I will admit that, even though I had a difficult time with the phone keypad, I have also had a tough one with virtual keyboards on smart devices. If they could revert to building flip phones that were loaded with (most of) the same tech that goes into smartphones or tablets, it would not be a backstop. It would - just be right.

[@Greedygoblingames]

I loved watching this. Would be great if someone like LG or Samsung saw this and designed a phone to suit. Technology was supposed to make our lives easier by freeing up our time, but instead it demands more and more of it. Totally the wrong direction IMO.

[@chrisbroesky2932]

I hope they make a comeback, people want simple again.

[@SojuLOL]

Such a great video. Was awesome to go on this journey with you. Digital minimalism at its best

[@RetroRecipes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deavo74]

Oddly people always look back on the past and say things like “I didn’t need that when I was a kid”. When I was a kid I heard that about my C64. Times change, people change.

[@dafoex]

Thugnar don't need phone, Thugnar just use sea shell to make loud noise to give friends latest gossip #basedandtedpilled

[@nukeum9535]

Long time watcher, second time poster. If you view technology in its proper form as a tool in your life instead of as being your life, then you can enjoy your life without teathers or annoying popups.

[@RetroRecipes]

Agreed! That's exactly the goal here.

[@nukeum9535]

Make tech a tool again! @@RetroRecipes

[@Krawurxus]

I don't think you need a flip phone or any retro tech to do this, but I hold the sincere belief that in 20 or 30 years, the people who're mindful of how they use technology and somehow manage to retain a healthy relationship with it will be the only ones with any chance of employment. These kids browsing "phantom phones" that're not even there will likely end up completely useless tech zombies unless there is some sort of major outside intervention. With every passing year I realize more how blessed I am to have been born in the 80s and grown up during the 90s. When I hear that a lot of kids can't even grasp the concept of folders on a computer nowadays I think that eventually anyone with programming skills or any knowledge or expertise that allows them to do any sort of maintenance work will be regarded with the same level of awe that a literal wizard would be. The rest will be browsing through thousands of mundane TikTok videos every day, brains completely fried while AI somehow keeps them alive. So anyone who keeps themselves in decent shape and develops their mind and skills until then will be walking as a god amongst eternally slumbering, utterly worthless sheep.

[@gunnarliljas8459]

Nice to see Puppyfractic enjoying the outdoors.

[@RetroRecipes]

We try to give her a good walk every day. She also loves going for a drive. When she's in KITTesla she can even sit in the driver's seat.

[@EasyMac308]

Digital Minimalism is a great book. Well worth the read, even if you don't go hardcore into it.

[@kirkthejerk7258]

As a mobile developer, it was painful to watch your unnecessary/avoildable frustrations with Android API versions, ceullar bands, "unapproved" phones, and MVNO's. But I'm happy to see that you eventually found a satisfactory solution!

[@Yuushiboy]

This looks fantastic. I remember when I had my beautiful razor. It still looks futuristic! Thanks for your great work. Always a trip back to my childhood when watching your videos!

[@erebostd]

My solution: i don’t take my smartphone everywhere i go, and even IF i have it in me, it’s basically on silent mode if i have family & friends around. I have some settings activated so that ill family members can reach me, and if you call multiple times (= urgent) you get trough eventually. But messages, normal non-urgent calls, apps & stuff? I don’t care. I read it later when i have time for it, and if necessary call back. That works perfectly. (My small one has an tablet, too - especially for kids. But use is limited to 15-20 Minutes a day, and only if an older family member is joining. Works great, too) PS: Schok phones are marketed to the older generation here in Germany, that’s why they have the big symbols and the charging dock. Not a bad device 😁👍

[@photographyguru2135]

What a fantastic journey mate! I love how you did this! I use the CATS22 Flip, with RCS google messages and Sunbird for iMessage. I also have Spotify on that flip phone, and I'm looking for the perfect pocket camera like you said. I am 19, and I am so inspired by you and your dedication to digital minimalism sir! Also 10/10 video, with editing, and your authentic presence. Keep up the good work!

[@RetroRecipes]

Thank you for your kind words! Means a lot 👍🕹️

[@ferrievanschaik8379]

I've been using a Nokia 6310i since a year now. (It also has bluetooth for my car). I only use my iphone on specific occasions like a holiday with the family. I use applications like whatsapp or social media only on my PC when i'm at my home office. In the beginning it felt like I was missing out on something, but now it really feels like the best decision, because a smartphone never made me happier than I already was before I used one. Keep up the good work, best Ferdinand.

[@MyNilito]

Here in Japan there’s a new retro phone called Mode 1 Retro 2, it has just been released, its the perfect blend of the old design mixed with new technology

[@rodhernandez4134]

Using a kindle to read is a way to detach from your phone / tablet and just focus on reading while still taking advantage of modern tech.

[@gnocchidokie]

I'm curious why you didn't decide to use your apple watch as your daily driver! Especially with the Ultra! I spent a very long time looking for a LitePhone/Flip phone style device to reduce distractions, and I had similar criteria - I wanted to be able to dictate messages, connect to iMessage while doing so, able to make NFC payments at restaurants and stores, and offer public transit directions to get around my city. I looked and looked, and every promising find was missing an essential function in the end. Then I realized I had a device that could do all of that already, with much fewer distractions than my phone, and it was literally strapped to my wrist the whole time! I keep my phone plugged in at home and leave the house with just my apple watch and my airpods. It's been remarkably freeing.

[@RolandKoller90]

This is exactly what I wanna do.

[@RetroRecipes]

Well in many ways the watch is my daily driver now. I rarely take the flipphone out. But I do like it, for example to send a photo message using its okayish camera. Or to Google something etc.

[@gnocchidokie]

@@RetroRecipes I wish the watch had a camera! It's the only thing I miss, but I'm thinking of picking up a small camera to take with me on runs - I ALWAYS see something I want to take a picture of, but I don't want to have the rest of the distractions from my phone.

[@RetroRecipes]

@@gnocchidokie Check description for my updated preferred cameras!

[@gunnardannehl372]

Love this episode! Your idea to go back to basics has really something. In our actual world we live in we are used to so many commodities connected to a smartphone, but is that really smart? As a semi professional photograper i never understood why a smartphone is supposed to replace a camera, so at the end of the video i had to smile that you consider carrying a nice Sony camera with you. Regards to Ladyfractic and Babyfractic (to be) and carry on!

[@RetroRecipes]

Glad you liked it!

[@pancudowny]

Clearing-out the closets of an old house I'm staying in, I discovered a TCL flip phone that has Google functions on it. Mind you, I don't really look forward to reactivating it for service as a personal phone... but I do enjoy the fact it's enabled for both FM & web streaming radio service.

[@BrokenCircuitRanch]

Or, we can just leave the phone home. Like the old days, when people would leave home, go on a drive or a long trip and nobody knew where they were until they came home. Now thats real retro and truly freeing.

[@RetroRecipes]

That's a great goal! In our case we have an elderly (Edit: sickly) grandmother so there's a necessity factor, but I totally agree with the principle.

[@SoulPoetryandOtherWorks]

@@RetroRecipes Sadly, here in the UK BT is getting rid of the landlines. This will cause a lot of trouble for people reliant on the older technology. This will include people with burglar alarms that ring out. Still, I do not miss the dials which needed someone with extremely strong fingers to turn them.

[@BrokenCircuitRanch]

@@RetroRecipes Yea I get it for sure, But on the other hand, grandma's for thousands of years have managed to go at least a day before comms. We have grown accustom to instant communication regardless of if its the calling or receiving party. PS. Im glad you notice what this tech is doing to kids and trying to be proactive about it.

[@deadcalifornia]

Also dangerous😂

[@idonotcomplyrevolution]

ive started to replace my "always on/smart" tech with retro alternatives and mainly going back to old tech like my handspring visor, my casio calculator watch, i bought a real camera about 3 years ago now and i recently bought an old ibm laptop that has no ability to connect to the internet and no wifi or bluetooth. im beginning to realise that all this new smart tech has a dark nefarious intention. i will soon be properly etherneting my house and turning off wifi altogether. you know something is wrong when a lifelong tech nerd freak starts abandoning new tech for old!

[@roberttoews2775]

I totally agree. I'm 53yo. I've been a teck geek since I was a kid. First in school with a portable computer (Radio Shack PC-1), first to have a word processor (Commodore 64 with Paperclip), game watches, etc. In adulthood, I was the always the tech go-to guy solving problems and setting up systems, etc, etc. Now I've resurrected my original C64 system, my Apple watch is now a retro Casio, my stereo is a vintage 100% analogue 2 channel system with tons of my original vinyl to go with it. Life is good once again. 😉

[@idonotcomplyrevolution]

@@roberttoews2775 yes im going back to physical music media too like records and tapes and have been looking for a good 80s stereo setup for a while now (im fussy hehe) with todays streaming services artists only make $0.007 per track play, so even if your song was played 10 million times, the artist has only made $7k in royalties, a far cry from the old vinyl/tape days and what artists got! everything about today is upside down and inside out and this is forcing me to return back to retro gear.

[@bcbaker4821]

I absolutely love that you are getting to live your dream through owning your very own KITT. I have to say that I'm absolutely a basket case, and can't believe that this video jerked tears out of my eyes. Thanx for sharing your journey.

[@ferndog1461]

Thank you for this. A Las Vegas gambling engineer got in bed with a smartphone. Now we have pandemic of phone addiction. My nephew is addicted, im addicted. Its getting me closer to divorce, too.

[@crazykittenvideos855]

Got a drawer with half a dozen old Nokias in from the noughties. I just open it from time to time and remember the fact that I also knew my friends mobile phone numbers. I have trouble remembering my own number now as you simply send numbers around. If I ever lose my phone, I’m toast!

[@jameshutchins8155]

Congrats on your soon to be baby-fractic! I had my first at a later age and pretty sure you and I are about the same age. Having a baby later in life has been a life changer, and I recall being in a similar state of mind as you are expressing in this video. Happy for you and lady-fractic. Good on you mate.

[@rick-deckard]

Wow Peri you really deep dived into this! Hats off

[@drrev40]

'Feels like heaven' 🎶 I used to work for an IT company with Kevin Patterson who was formerly a member of Fiction Factory and sang this song. Nice to hear it as your backing music, takes me back.

[@AB-Prince]

for as long as I've had a phone, I've never had my mobile data on. I've just never found the need to be permanently connected to the internet. however I too have been looking for an older phone, however in the era of flip-phones a lot of them were locked to specific providers, or even a specific sim card.

[@monochrome_linux]

The main question is "why is his voice soo dreamy?"

[@davidhdez-gil1857]

You hitted the nail in the head when you said that until 2007 tech was going the right way. Nothing has been the same since that year with tech.

[@wearwolf2500]

I often go out without taking my phone. I actually struggle to remember to take it if I'm going to a store where I might want to look something up. I definitely recommend a real camera. It's surprising how much better than phone cameras they are. A big bonus is real zoom

[@JoseBriones]

Great video! Thanks for showcasing that it is still possible to live with these technologies in a mindful way!

[@RetroRecipes]

Hey Jose, thanks for saying that. I have watched a lot of your videos along the way. I've added your channel link as thanks in the description. That was me asking you lots of questions about the Schok on Reddit ;-) Keep up the great work!

[@bfurney]

Question, you are using iMessage with your email not your phone number correct? Thanks very cool video @@RetroRecipes

[@jkinghorn]

Great update, I like the behind the scenes showing all the hurdles. I was a little disappointed by the new Razrs too, and like you said the current models just look like a Samsung. I had a Krzr(krazer) back in the day, slightly thinner, more powerful than the razr, loved that phone. We even had a Sony C905 at one point, with 8 megapixel! camera on it and great sound with megabass!, it was mega-cool :) Love the point you're making about 'unplugging', even for someone super tech oriented. Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

[@808music3]

You definitely bring back nostalgia in phones. Miss the Nokia N series. When I’m old, I’ll revert back to simplicity to Nokia if still works. Enjoying usa than Uk?

[@michaelcartwright1260]

Dead right Peri. I remember looking up as I was walking through my local town centre and easily 90% of people were either buried in their phone or checking it regularly. The level of dependence we seem to have as a culture is worrying!

[@jimcabezola3051]

Your phone addiction is a very real thing, and I can relate. I'm very lucky to be SO unpleasant in real life that I can use my iPhone once a week to delete all SMS messages...which are from no real persons😆🤣! No real people call me, either. I don't even carry a phone with me at, really, and the phone lies turned off in a drawer when not it use. It was a hard transition...I even have to limit my KZbin watching. I always watch you folks, though, but very little else. It's always fun to you all of you. Aloha.

[@RetroRecipes]

Aloha!

[@MandoMakes]

❤❤ I was looking for a device that can still get iMessage and block distraction - also so it would force me to break out my DSLR more on small trips instead of just snapping with the iPhone !!! Thank you for your research into nostalgia !!!!!

[@thisisjeff9845]

Last year I got rid of my touch screen phone and picked up a flip phone. I still have modern tech around me, like a tablet, PC, stuff like that, but I don't take anything with me other than the flip phone.

[@HAGSLAB]

It's clear you put a lot of work and research into this. I really like the video and the sentiment behind it. I've been using my phone with mostly (I have a few select ones enabled so my kids can reach me and stuff) no notifications for many years now and always try to minimize the amount of distractions. I'm currently writing a BBS-server to control my smart home from my C64 as well, haha!

[@RetroRecipes]

Amazing!

[@dafoex]

I'm in the UK and my Nokia brick (3330) still works! It's not quite minimalism since I tend to carry both that and a modern phone, that way I call and text with my SIM in the Nokia and take photos or satnav on the smartphone (also internet when there is WiFi), but it feels good to not be buried in what everyone else is doing when I'm on holiday, for example. My main issue is that the Nokia was left with the original battery in it, and over the years it did something chemistry and actually corroded holes in the copper pads on the PCB where the battery pogo pins touch. I did a bit of repair because the pads are nice and big and took solder, but if you squeeze it just wrong (like when texting) you can sometimes momentarily disconnect the battery and the phone dies. I need to look inside again and try a better repair.

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I have a really nice modern mirrorless camera setup (Lumix G9) with a collection of great expensive lenses. I love it, but I wanted something a bit "retro" that was the same mount for lenses and harder to use (fun photo challenge....) So I picked up a Lumix GF1 locally for ~65 bucks in great shape and it is interchangeable lens. I then got on KEH and bought a super tiny/thin 14mm "pancake" lens for it. It has been the perfect "in pocket" camera, with great looking pics that are usable in any modern application. I enjoy it's limitations (fixed focal length lens, limited iso performance, mechanical shutter.) and I am in the whole setup for less than a couple hundred bucks with the benefit of it using my existing lenses if I ever wanted to.

[@RetroRecipes]

Nice! Since editing this I've discovered the film simulation cameras like the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 and the Ricoh GR III. Very tempting! Just a bit out of the current budget.

[@lukey333]

I used the nokia 2780 flip since the start of 2023 until i recently switched to the duraxv extreme and honestly i really love it and it’s so much better in every aspect, I wouldn’t knock it until you try it!

[@50caliber29]

Best phone I ever owned was the Sony CMD J6. Stylish, one of the 1st phones you could use songs for call & message tones & most importantly the jog wheel, the single best phone input interface ever invented. I truly loved that phone & it got so much attention because it was different to the Nokia's that everyone & their uncle had. Second best was the Nokia 5310 Xpress music (actually the phone the case represented in your video). The best music player of any phone I've used, amazing sound quality. Also a very stylish phone. I still have the Xpress, I need to find a charger for it.

[@bembelknecht]

I keep everything Google and social media on one computer and there only; I found that many people now think they are entitled to notify you and none of them is truly important; focusing on your child is the way to go

[@itsmephil2255]

You should ask Mr Mobile/Michael Fisher about his RAZR, oh it's a funny story, he had to send it to Australia to get repaired 😂

[@MartinFarrell1972]

Just seen the pic with the polaroid instant camera. This was our family camera back in the 80's. I recently bought an expensive spool from Polaroid and the results were disappointing. Pics looked washed out. I still have pics from the 80's which are clearer. Back to digital for photos.

[@easycompzeelandold2521]

8:20 am I the only one singing more than this? Oh, the nostalgic 🥲

[@ambby1898]

I love you guys SO SO SO much, I can tell you grew up playing amiga games & games like WORMS 1 from Team 17 by your sense of humor & the sound effects :) lol MUCH LOVE !!!! keep it up, I do not feel so alone in this world because of you guys understanding the same stuff I love as well :)

[@RetroRecipes]

Thank you so much!! Search up my Cris Blyth vids. He’s a mate and helped make Worms! He has a cool channel too. @CrisBlyth

[@djm9937]

'More Than This' playing in the background. Great choice ! Great video :)

[@RetroRecipes]

Good ear! I tried to be mindful of the song choices. Full list in description.

[@raymitchell9736]

Retro Recipes... Driving around in horse and buggies... oh wait? Too far back? LOL... Wow this takes me back, I had several of those phones, Nokia, etc... but I liked the Motorola RAZR flip... but I also like the touchscreen and integrated tech... I don't use my phone for much because I see what you're seeing: A lot of addicted ppl to their phones. I panic if I lose my phone or the phone crashes. I need it for 2FA at work and I like the camera so I can take pictures and videos, but I don't live on my phone. This is something that I hope catches on and maybe there will be new phones, with retro features. Cheers.

[@Dream0Asylum]

Love the background music most of all in this episode. Near the end, when the instrumental "Space Age Love Song" kicks in, it really took me back. New Wave is my mood.

[@jgordon7719]

This was wildly unexpected. I've been researching this on my own for years. Thank you for sharing!

[@RetroRecipes]

Brilliant!

[@nonsuch]

I'm glad I've never been a smartphone addict. No matter how big of a screen I get, I don't enjoy doing anything on them at all. However, I am computer addicted though and have been for 30+ years 😂.

[@fredjones100]

The modern touchscreen phone is such a miserable form factor, isn't it? I use mine where absolutely necessary (and having a terminal to ssh home to check various things or obtain info is often invaluable) but NEVER if there's a proper computer available. I still cannot fathom why anyone would squint for hours at a phone screen to watch youtube etc when they have a nice laptop within reach but that's exactly what happens in this house every day!

[@nonsuch]

​@@fredjones100 I do like the technology of it all. But, it's really kids and teens who can actually focus on small things and be fine with it. For me, I'm 51 years old and use a 42" monitor on my main computer. 😄

[@O.D.Bubblez]

If you could figure out how to get those apps on a sidekick I would def go buy one. That's the retro I miss. I appreciate this flip phone episode tho, I was thinking about that last year. Nice to know it is possible.

[@stephanepiquemal8297]

That reminds me my old Nokia N900. My first Linux phone with a sliding physical keyboard. I wish someone could come with a modern similar concept :)

[@jamesdecross1035]

'Flip-fones' are cool! I still have my Ericsson T28 World… one of the original flip-phones.

[@RetroRecipes]

I've got one sitting right here as I type this!

[@lasskinn474]

I'd like another n95. well. with the media buttons switched to a dpad and couple of other buttons and running modern android and a touchscreen. but that form factor anyway. or some fast android but in a 5800xm form factor, a bit thicker but smaller than modern phones. with some taskswitcher buttons. modern smartphones are slower to do stuff with than mid to late '00s smartphones were, like just for basic stuff changing a setting, setting to mute, copying a contact etc..

[@RetroRecipes]

Yeah the N95 was beautiful!

[@marklechman2225]

I had that Fisher-Price garage and I absolutely loved it.

[@MysteriousMatt89]

This is so much more interesting than the whole Apple event was. Keep it up!

[@MrMaximino92]

Or the whole Samsung event.

[@judgejoolz7594]

Such a beautiful video in every respect. Truly food for thought.

[@RetroRecipes]

Thank you for your kind words! Means a lot 👍🕹

[@oahupc4688]

im so impressed with how much play time you gave fiction factory - feels like heaven! prob the most of anyone in the last 25 years :)

[@gene1star]

That’s life ! It would be a great thing if everyone had a such life ! Cheers!

[@RetroRecipes]

Worked very hard indeed to get to this point but I also know how lucky I am 🙏

[@gene1star]

@@RetroRecipes keep it going. "luck" is a strange concept; some people have it, while others do not.

[@RetroRecipes]

"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity". For me, the hard work was the preparation. The rest was seeing opportunities and using the preparation to grasp them. @@gene1star

[@gene1star]

@@RetroRecipes 🙂Don’t doubt that but „Luck” is when you are in right place in right time. Preparation is kind of our explanation/translation of why we do or don't have luck.

[@RetroRecipes]

@@gene1star Yep there is definitely a component of luck/opportunity to "luck"!

[@zoeyb.9742]

The Kyocera 902kc/903kc is also an option (though admittedly it seems the Schok Classic may be better in quite a few ways). It is certainly a lot more fiddly with initial setup, some parts requiring a computer for mirroring. Once it's running though, you have most of the same features in a gorgeous Japanese flip-phone style. IMO it's a great looking phone and I've been really happy with mine. Most lightweight apps that I've used work great, though apps do need to be side loaded (again, with a computer) to be installed.

[@shardlake]

Decided to keep the modern phone, just removed most of the apps.

[@gheorghepretenaru2945]

Hagenuk is my first mobile phone ever I still have in my old phones drawer, nice memories!

[@jjjacer]

I ran into similar issues with a few japanese flip phones, the first one i got was 3g which was shut down a few months before i bought it so it would fail to connect. and then the second one i got which at least had wifi had the older 4g standard which also doesnt work anymore with most providers. I did like that even though it didnt have a touchscreen, the entire keypad area was also a trackpad and gave you mouse inputs

[@TLM860]

You could use a small portable hotspot to provide data to a device (like a keitai) or other such phone that doesn't have band support. You get band support and essential apps. Downsides are paying for data,/hotspot device, battery life and carrying multiple devices. Could be useful if you have a purse, pouch, pockets or small backpack you can throw stuff in.

[@geekyprojects1353]

With this glasses you look like a slimmer version of Walter from The Big Lebowski.

[@drevildruid]

I mostly use my iPhone for navigation while driving and listening to music but I do have a couple old iPod playing around that I can use for music and that’s for navigation. It’s my understanding that a Garmin navigational system is far superior than Google, Waze or Apple Maps

[@HighlandPhoenix]

Another classic video! Great watch, I mean flip phone…! 😅

[@LSOconsulting]

I use the Nokia 2789 flip with KaiOS. Having left Apple a long time ago, the workaround was how to use FB messenger for some important people in my life. Creating a screen shortcut does that using the browser. No notifications but at least I can monitor messages and send them, I use Garmin for navigation and my durable but portable Olympus TG-6 for photography. In a pinch I bring my Samsung A7 Lite tablet or my Gen 6 iPod (Yes it works!) and tether using the phone's hotspot. I live in Canada and this phone works with all carriers.

[@retroandgaming]

I'm at 80% of the video and at this point I'm really starting to wonder how much you have spent on this adventure...

[@G4t0c]

AMAZING VIDEO ! I used a method that probably work with any old phone as long as it can receive SMS, because, I was in the same quest months ago. I just wanted to use my loved blackberry style old Hp Ipaq. What I did was basically to use a old android phone as a server, connected at wifi at home with unlimited sms service. Then with an android app I forwarded the notifications That I cared the most via sms to my old phone, it was very reliable. I got notified of my instant messaging fast, and If it was something important I just send from my old phone a good old sms to the person contacting me.

[@RetroRecipes]

Yep that's a great solution. Did you use Tasker and AutoNotification with AutoRemote to do the forwarding? If so how did you get it to handle sending reply SMS from your HP back to Android and then back to the sender?

[@emmanuelwolf6568]

Absolutely agree with you, the amount of things I've got ridd of from my life because it wasn't helping in any way.

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

I could not use the tiny screens on those old-timers. I grew up in the 1950's we learned to control ourselves, I don't have "Notifications" engaged, I check the notifications in my own good time. Is it better to avoid modern tech because you fear it will rule you, or learn to rule yourself. The fualt lies not in our tech, but in ourselves that we don't run our own lives. We had as many distractions in 1955 as you have. Distracting children and the immature goes back to ancient Greece. Most of my apps have not been activiated

[@ziero1986]

i would gladly go back to an LG Optimus (the one that you turned sideways for the keyboard) or Chocolate. They were pretty decent phones back in the day.

[@ZekeGraal]

I am a daily Kyocera DuraXV Extreme user. The durex joke got me! I work on planes and I am outside all day, so it is perfect for me. It also has a swappable battery! It runs a customized version of AOSP, so no google services, which I love! And with a cursor mod you can install apps. The only one I use is Signal. I use a Garmin Satnav for navigation, and an iPod classic for music. I do carry a de-googled android phone in case I need an app for something stupid, but most of the time I just tether the phone to a laptop. I plan on buying a CAT S22 at some point because they are so cheap and I'd love to check it out!

[@RetroRecipes]

Haha yeah sorry about that. Think of it as the Dura... ...XV. It isn't really the name that's the issue, more that it's bulky like the CAT with a big screw in the back. Just not my cuppa that's all.

[@Breakstuff455khz]

I switched back to flip phone (Kyocera DuraXV) a year and a half ago, no regrets. I bought a MP3 player and a thrift store GPS unit, I dont use them very often, but they fill the two voids my smartphone left that I really cared about.

[@puggawompy]

After seeing all the trouble and barriers to getting a retro phone to work in your modern world... I reckon it would have been easier to convert your Delorean into an actual time machine and go back to the heyday of those phones. Enjoyed the journey, it is inspiring me to get a retro phone going again, my smartphone really eats my time.

[@bjoernschumacher5852]

to bad that the iphone SE (1.Gen) isnt up to the modern times. you could just delete all the apps till you have only the following left: dialer/imessage/sms/calendar/calculator. best solution in my eyes. No breaking hinges and such. Awesome Video!

I'm always a bit clueless about the "distraction problem" thing (with modern phones), to be honest. For example I've set up my notifications, that I can get any kind of notification only from apps I really want to get those. I often hear from people: they don't want this and that app (even if they consider to have it for whatever reason), since it would mean constant useless notifications then. But notifications can be turned off on per app basis, so I can't see the point. At least on Android (also app auto-start and similar things), no idea about iPhone (but really, I can't imagine that iPhone does not have these basic features). So no distractions then. Moreover, I usually turn off wi-fi and mobile-data by default and only turning on, when I really need that, depending on the situation. Like in the old days, when I only dialed in with my modem when I really needed it ;) Yes, digital minimalism / "retro feeling" has its place and has its own beauty (and it's a solution for other problems as well for some people), but I ONLY speak here about the complains of "distracting notifications" with modern smartphones what I often hear, and cannot understand (why don't they turn off notifications for those distracting apps then? - if this is the only problem they seem to have).

[@Neodra]

I turn off a lot of the notifications from apps but what I have noticed is that as soon as you run the app you get a popup that asks you if you want to turn on notifications. Not just once but every time you run the app. It's like it's mad that you won't let it bug you.

[@RetroRecipes]

To clarify, it's not _just_ the notifications. Having the apps on there at all is a temptation for those of us genuinely addicted. Yes I can uninstall the apps, but then why have a smartphone, which is where I ended this video :)

[@erebostd]

@@Neodrayou need a newer android version. 12 or newer i think. There you can disable notifications types, so that (as an example) app notifications come trough, depending on profile, but interaction reminders are blocked. It’s amazing they added this back then 😁👍

@@RetroRecipes OK, fair point, and so true :) I've just described though what I often hear from people in general.

[@Neodra]

I have an S23 so I have the latest android version. I will look into disabling the notification types and stop those popups because they annoy me, thank you for pointing it out.@@erebostd

[@user-tb5ns7hc5i]

The last generations of Motorola razr flip phones were gorgeous. Small. Lightweight. Are any of them still supported and useable on current cellular frequency bands?

[@chillzwinter]

Why don't you simply *abandon using the cellular network* with the Korean phones that you love, and use their Wi-Fi tethered to an iphone or a *dongle* in your other pocket. You could then make calls via any app that uses WiFi and presumably use your imessage thingy.

[@shinrasboy]

So I’ve more or less cracked it. I’m currently using a Qin F21 Pro unlocked for US bands and running with Google Play Services. iMessage works on it via AirMessage and a server on my MacMini. It’s a hybrid feature phone that runs android which works for me because my Starbucks card, bank apps, and passes are on it. Like yeah I like digital minimalism but these apps are too important in my world to leave behind.

[@soil4good]

yo! I am on a similar journey to try to get away from the doomscroll. so far I have a regular ol digital watch and the blank spaces set-up; I'm looking to get a good go-bag so I don't have to carry my phone in my pocket. I also started carrying a little notebook to write down my ideas instead of going to the notes app. thanks for the new ideas!

[@amandabailey9008]

I had a joystick for my Nokia! I just recently bought a Nokia flip phone for out and about and only using my iPad for socials at home and it’s made such a difference

[@RetroRecipes]

Wait you bought a SnakeBITE!? If so thank you!

[@byron_00]

Great episode! My wife and I were thinking if we ever abandon smartphones, we'd maybe try Justine Haupt's "rotary un-smartphone" kit.

[@retroorogeny]

Nice to hear A Flock of Seagulls in the soundtrack :)

[@FullaEels]

I use an iPod for music and have a Casio watch, but I don't think I'm quite ready to flip to a flip phone just yet. I love my 13 mini too much. I remember using them when I was wee. And I've now learnt that I'm as old as the Nokia 3310 which I also used.

[@paszTube]

I never got the smart watch craze. They need to be charged daily, annoy you notifications, expensive. My $20 casio is none of that. Has an always on screen and runs for years on a single battery!

[@zayd8883]

I recently got a schock classic flip because of this video. Ive seen recently online that there is issues with battery life, have you noticed such issues? havent had mine for too long so just wanna know

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I been using sonim 3 plus fliphone non camera phone, I love it.

[@DeinielMas10]

I thought the purpose of switching to a dumbphone was to reduce some of the anxiety of modern life and reinvest the time gained in a meaningful way. But this crusade for the perfect dumbphone which supports smartphone capabilities and is retro-sleek is so stressful and time consuming lol.

[@Colin_Ames]

An enjoyable episode, even though I’m not of the same mindset. I enjoy my Samsung Galaxy, am not an Apple fan. I am happy with the quality of the photos I get from it, so no longer carry a camera. I know how to put it on silent mode when I need to, so no problem there. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

[@phoenix_killer07]

honestly a completely respectable opinion

[@loupide]

My recipe: Whenever I'm with other people, I keep my phone in my pocket. While I'm in my house, the phone is laying in my office, no matter where I am. Oh and I also turned off all sounds and notifications. I only use my phone when I'm alone and I have no so-called social media apps installed whatsoever. Glad to see other people hopping on that train. Maybe we can have a real conversation when we meet IRL.