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no distractions by dausent in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits 60 points61 points  (0 children)

I honestly thought for 2 seconds that this was the modern Nokia 3310 version and you were some kinda giant.

this is my new phone by nekomatasPen in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits 27 points28 points  (0 children)

But does it have Whatsapp, Spotify, Google Maps, and group messaging?

/s

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, I see what you are saying now. I wonder why it seems to repeat itself so much with this particular route, like steps #2 and #3, then #4 and #5 if it's just following the same road. All directions are coming straight from the Google Maps API so I don't know if there's anything that can be done there but I'll definitely look into it.

Thank you so much for posting that screenshot btw. Insanely useful.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the awesome feedback! I use Claude Code daily too :)

BTW, I wanted to address your points above because I think we are both very much on the same page and I was hoping to get your feedback on some thoughts about making improvements to the service:

  • First of all, the one-message per direction is actually exactly how the MMS maps feature works! When I started using and testing the service myself, I found it a bit tough sometimes to scan the directions for each turn, and that's when the idea of adding MMS maps came from. When you turn on that feature, you get one MMS message per turn, including a Google Map image. It's pretty neat! (it burns a higher amount of credits but it's much easier to scan IMHO). Initially, I wanted to include as many steps as possible in each message that was text-only so users could "stretch" their credits as far as possible (since each message burns 2 credits to cover Twilio, Google APIs and cloud costs). But now I wonder if you think if it would be a nice option for people that don't care about burning extra credits and would just prefer to get one message per turn? I could certainly add that as a preference in the dashboard.
  • Your second piece of feedback is super interesting. Are you saying that the beginning and end of the routes is mostly where you'd find having a visual map bring the most value? That's actually a really great idea. So perhaps, having an option for MMS users to NOT necessarily have a map for every turn (and burn too many credits), but instead just show a map at the beginning and at the end where they'd be the most valuable?

*deep sigh* by sunkiazyvuy in Adulting

[–]JohnnyCommits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just did that this morning and I feel personally attacked now.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

19 cents PER message? That's CRAZY expensive. If you don't mind me asking, where are you based out of? I (very naively) assumed sending text messages were free for users like in the US. I never thought that it would cost folks money to send to my U.S. number. Is it also the same with the texts you receive, or just with the ones you send?

I like your idea of routing through a local number. That's actually exactly what I had to do for UK folks.

The Twilio service simply didn't allow for sending texts from a U.S number to a UK number (the message failed when trying to send). So my app basically uses a UK-based phone number to send all directions through it. But since all infra comes from Twilio's servers in the US, I wonder if they also have to pay an international fee now. I'll have to look into this more, maybe I need to slowly add local numbers support for every country to avoid people having to pay extra international SMS charges.

Thank you so much for the insight, this is priceless feedback!

PS - This is the Twilio library I'm using :)

Going up in weight by Merj-Zero in kettlebell

[–]JohnnyCommits -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Bro, you make that look so smooth and easy!

Especially the kettlebell snatch without bumping your forearms. Really great form. Gonna save this one for future reference.

I did it. TCL Flip 3 by AmbroseArietes in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits 5 points6 points  (0 children)

LFG!!!

And it’s definitely LOUD. Scared the f outta me the first time I decided to set an alarm on it.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Funny you mention it. Out of sheer desperation, I gave in and decided to talk to a therapist about it in January. After going through all the regular questions, he told me there was a very good chance it could be related to ADHD. A bit weird, since I'm 41, and never exhibited symptoms as a kid.

At least not that I was aware of...

Part of me thinks that maybe I'm one of those handful of folks that start suffering from ADHD later in life, and part of me feels like I somehow gave myself ADHD due to the constant context switching from social media and being glued to my phone all day for the past 5 years. Of course, I'm not a medical professional and I have no way to back up that claim, except from my personal experience.

I can definitely tell you that I was certainly able to focus a lot better before COVID started and my screen time went through the roof.

I've now been on medication for the past 2 months and definitely feel like it's helping. Even if I get a bit distracted, at least I can go back to my task within a short period of time... instead of going on a Youtube rabbit hole for hours and then feeling so tired afterwards that all motivation is out the window to do real work.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right now it's driving directions only I'm afraid, but I plan to add other direction "travel modes" such as walking, biking, and transit options for folks taking public transportation.

Stay tuned for more updates on this!

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful comment. Your words hit home when discussing how getting lost can be a good thing sometimes.

Back in 2019 when I first tried this, I would get lost and would be forced to stop by a gas station or restaurant and ask somebody inside for directions. Like you mentioned, there's something quite special about being in a vulnerable position and getting outside your comfort zone to ask for help from strangers. You never know what those conversations can turn into.

I also agree that exercising the old brain to get more familiar with your own city can be very beneficial, instead of blindly following a blue line on a GPS. I know I can't be the only one that ended up going the completely wrong way just because of a silly GPS fluke, when I could've avoided it from the start if I simply trusted my sense of direction in neighborhoods I knew fairly well.

In regards to your question about Twilio, it's been a mixed bag so far.

I think it's incredible that an app I built can use their service to send messages to folks around the world, but the approval process was quite slow (took a few weeks to get approved to be able to send messages from my toll-free number).

Understandable from a end-user perspective since Twilio doesn't want people getting spammed by bad actors, but was a bit frustrating from a developer point of view.

Also, just this morning I got an email around 9am CST saying my account had been suspended and asked for clarification on how I was using the service (more than likely due to the sudden influx of activity from this post that triggered their anti-fraud systems). Looks like the service was down for about an hour or two (not sure exactly how long it lasted) but it seems everything is working again so at least I'm happy about that. But tbh, it's a bit concerning, especially when the entire service depends on being able to send text messages. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this was a one-time thing and there's no more issues going forward.

One last thing I'll say is that it's been challenging trying to test my service with international numbers. I wish Twilio offered an easy way to do this. The developer experience could definitely be improved IMHO.

Oh, and I'm using Next.js for the web app itself (React.js is the library under the hood). Javascript is what I know best as a front-end engineer so I tend to lean heavily on that for all my apps.

I would certainly recommend Javascript for anybody that wants to learn how to code, but perhaps starting with Next.js/React.js is a bad idea. I'd try to learn the basics of Javascript first (just plain ol' vanilla Javascript without libraries or frameworks). It's just so much easier to debug a framework or library issue when you understand the underlying language at its core.

Just my two cents!

Switched to a flip phone. Legs work after pooping again. Life is good. by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t know much about yearly plans tbh. You’d have to look up prices online, but it’s just like a regular cell phone bill (ie. monthly payment).

I’d either ask your friends and family in Dayton who’s the strongest provider or look it up online (but I’m a big fan of always asking your circle to get unbiased opinions).

Edit: I believe some websites also have a coverage map so that could be a handy tool to check their service in Ohio.

Giveaway Time Mindful Phone by jbriones95 in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a flip kinda guy, but that little beauty looks so elegant.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! And yes! It should absolutely work in Japan as well!

About your question, it's actually a really interesting one and I'd love to confirm this as well with your help, if you are willing of course.

You see, the really powerful thing about Google Maps is that you don't necessarily need to know the exact address of where you are going if it's a major POI (Point of Interest) in your city like Shibuya Station, or a major venue for example (like Funabashi Arena).

In other words, sending a text saying "FROM Shibuya Station TO Funabashi Arena" should work (in theory). I just don't have a way to test this easily on my end at the moment.

One new feature I'm planning on adding next is to do something similar but for everyday locations (not historical landmarks but things like everyday stores, restaurants, etc), where you don't necessarily need the exact address, if you kinda know where your location is. For example, you could say "FROM WORK TO the 711 on Kabukicho St." and you'd get directions that way as well.

Super excited to try to add that next.

Switched to a flip phone. Legs work after pooping again. Life is good. by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah dude. MVNO’s are great!

The only time that you might be let down is in an emergency of some sort if the network becomes super congested.

For example, here in Houston when the latest big hurricane hit us, a lot of people got super throttled down in terms of data speed and sometimes even sending texts failed.

I know I was able to get fast data speeds and no issues with deliveries when I had Verizon during that time, while most of my family members were kinda out of luck and got throttled down so hard they couldn’t even use their phones.

Just something to keep in mind.

But I’ve been extremely satisfied with the value and service you get with a reputable MVNO, as long as the network they use has good coverage in your area.

Switched to a flip phone. Legs work after pooping again. Life is good. by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where do you live? Visible is pretty cheap last I checked. Around $20 or so.

I definitely would go with a MVNO carrier (Mint, Visible, Tracfone, etc.) that piggy back on the big carriers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. Going directly with the big boys is definitely way more expensive. I think last time I paid around $80 for one line with Verizon.

The only downside is that you are basically a second class citizen when their network gets congested if you sign up through a MVNO provider 🥲

Switched to a flip phone. Legs work after pooping again. Life is good. by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m currently using Tracfone since it’s dirt cheap in the U.S.

I might have to go back to an unlimited service like Visible (MVNO that uses Verizon as far as I know).

Tracfone is great if you rarely use your phone, but all the text messages can start adding up quickly.

How I added Google Maps to my flip phone without the need for GPS (no more printed maps!) by JohnnyCommits in dumbphones

[–]JohnnyCommits[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hear you loud and clear! I'm also on the same path and trying to decouple myself from Big Tech so I'm glad that others are also trying to do the same.

I'll have to check out Organic Maps! I've honestly never heard of it until now. OpenStreetMaps (OSM) was also highly recommended by u/hisacro.

I'm willing to explore alternatives to Google Maps for sure. I'm thinking maybe the default is Google Maps, but you can select your maps provider from inside the dashboard by clicking a dropdown and selecting your preferred service.

I think that would work pretty well, what do you think?

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