#127

I’d be even more interested in email client discussion. I feel stuck with Google partly because I really don’t like any other email client that I’ve tried. :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#128

as the creator of this thread, I’m fine with (and thankful for) the inclusion of alt online services since it all speaks to a similar search! that said, ok with me if the mods want to split it.

1 Like
#129

On the phone tip, I got a used Pixel 2 XL shortly after the Pixel 3 came out, and it’s a phenomenal phone. (I’m gonna likely skip the Notch Era.) It’s super speedy and really solid. I think my ebook reading has jumped 20%, because the screen size is great. The battery is excellent, too, so I’ve finally stopped also carrying around an old iPod and just listen using the phone. I do hate having to use Bluetooth headphones, but I think that ship may have sailed. This is my favorite phone since the G1. It’s the first phone I’ve had since the G1 when I didn’t feel like I was kinda just waiting for the next phone to come out.

1 Like
#130

just wanted to thank the mentioning of very cheap battery replacement for iphone 6/6s before the end of year. i went ahead with that today and hopefully that breathes a bit of new life into aging phone.

2 Likes
#131

I use Mailspring on my desktop and an ever-rotating cast of not-that-great-but-fine options on phones.

I do recommend Mailspring if you’re one of those freaks that doesn’t solely use webmail on a not-phone computer.

Edit: Mailspring manages multiple accounts really well - you can easily switch between a unified or split out view of inbox, drafts, sent - and it’s got a strangely satisfying data-driven signature tool (you fill in the details you want to see in your signature and can then browse and edit layouts for those details).

I said up-topic I’m using Fastmail as my mail account provider, but I still have two Google accounts I look at and one Yahoo one.

1 Like
#132

I started with thunderbird initially but ended up just using the fastmail web client which I like very much. I’d been using the gmail web client most often (I still use it) before that and I think the fastmail client is nicer. Haven’t tried any mobile options!

I keep forgetting to send new email from fastmail, my brain is still hard-wired to go to mail.google.com to write an email…

1 Like
#133

any hot takes on a smartphone series that will actually continue to work over time ? looking into maybe a 4+ yr old refurbished thing

still running strong on a random android phone from 2014 and my main problemo is that dumb software updates seem to break the camera software and now I get like 4fps videos and photo quality that’s far worse than what the hardware is supposed to do >:(

has anyone had this particular problem on iphone ? or other software issues related to longevity ? v frustrating that software is actually the main culprit of decay rather than hardware

1 Like
#134

Tell me about it… a couple years ago i made the naive mistake of upgrading my iPhone 6 to iOS 10 and it’s been painfully sluggish ever since. The phone itself is in excellent physical shape and I really have no reason to get another. I wish I could somehow roll back the OS…

1 Like
#135

aggg - yea I’m thinking about going iphone but just refusing to update. I’m curious how long it would take for the few apps I use to stop supporting the os. in this pretty old Android version only my bank app is unsupported rn. I’m guessing apple will harass u to update but I am strong in the face of adversity

in other maybe helpful news this seems like a decent place to purchase stuff off the refurb market (which as I understand happens entirely in the city of shenzen and seems kinda interesting)

#136

If you’re going to do this I’d recommend sticking with Android. As I see it the main reason to use iPhones is because they continue to get updates much longer than android devices. My iPhone 6 still gets security updates despite not being able to run the latest iOS (though I expect that will end next year). Most OS updates will run a bit slower but I found that iOS 12 actually made my phone feel almost new again. From a security perspective if you’re accessing the internet or even just using it as a phone, you want to be installing updates.

2 Likes
#137

You could get a device that runs Sailfish OS. Most Android apps not requiring Google Play should work (and be more or less confined into their corner of the system iirc).
Or any other phone that runs linux (does that still exist)? Or a dumbphone + a standalone pocket camera (since you mention photo quality) ?
Since i broke my jolla phone and i had a 30USD AT&T-locked Samsung lying around i figured i’d use it and pay for unlock rather than buy more stuff. It’s so under featured (no way to use the sd card to put apps…) that it’s basically a dumbphone from which i can import one or two pics from my fuji camera (to instagram on the go, the most precious feature of digital life :smiley: ), read emails, and that can eventually turn into a hotspot for my laptop.
It also complains about full storage regularly so when it does i wipe chat history and all the accumulated data that makes use tense at the idea of backing it up, not losing the device etc.
The vibration is so faint i never hear it (i never use ringing sounds.) You have to do so much work to check if there are notifications (no color-coded LED) that i ended up not checking them anymore than twice a day.
And the battery lasts long enough that i sometime let it totally discharge without noticing.
It feels great. I think you get the idea.

#138

every. single. day.

with no option to turn it off.

also i’ve experienced apps notifying me that they will be expiring, essentially forcing me to update or be left behind.

i wish i could say the same. did you take any extra steps to refresh it (ie. factory reset, clean install)?
i had my battery replaced recently, so i’m hoping to stick with this phone for at least a couple more years…

2 Likes
#139

This started shipping to backers the other day, grabbed my interest:

3 Likes
#140

Nope, just the update (note that this was 12 specifically, previous updates were not as good). I got the battery replaced last year as well and that did have a positive impact.

#141

(warning: controversial) I’m gonna go off on a limb here and say that every phone option sucks

9 Likes
#142

My wife and I have Sony Xperia phones. I have been using my Z5 since 2015 with no issues.She has had her XZ since last year and loves it to bits. We got them new (unlocked) from a*azon after they were a couple years old. They were under $200 each, have 23MP cameras and micro SD storage.

#143

I agree, and it seems like a long time if ever before we’re even to the point that Linux on the desktop is at. It’s a real bummer.

1 Like
#144

Hi there,
Trying to stay away from social networks, looking for a phone :

  • without satellite internet access, but possibly Wi-Fi
  • good camera
  • an audio recorder
  • preferably with a touch screen.

Any recommendation ?

#145

Maybe get any smartphone, but get on a contract which has only calls+sms?

1 Like
#146

i use a 6 year old iphone with almost no apps. i guess it depends what a “good” camera means to you.

you could also get a non-smartphone, from the workhorse Nokias to the new “Lightphone 2” and just carry a separate pocketable but able small digital cameras. many options and they can generally record audio

1 Like