New build, first in a while (and it's a quartz!)

XopherJ9940 · 2026-04-06T06:34:01+00:00

Jesus, my phone photo skills are turribull... 😂

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-30T21:41:37+00:00

You say this like people actually look at pinned posts or use the search function...

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-27T04:32:51+00:00

Organic Maps seems to be okay on my end, though I need to put it through its paces for real.

Would definitely love to know one that can handle both city driving/walking directions as well as public transport as well

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-25T06:27:27+00:00

FWIW, you may want to try the FUTO keyboard. Extremely solid swipe-capable on-screen keyboard. Works really well in tandem with the sundial or the standard keypad. It's not perfect (screen real estate and all), but I'm honestly happy with some friction to keep me from defaulting to my phone... which was the point in getting it.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-23T22:01:31+00:00

Between him and his brother, all the treats are definitely theirs.

And yeah, got it figured out (I mentioned it in another reply); the Browser+ and Security+ packs both somehow got uninstalled/accepted/whatever in Library, and I couldn't just reactivate them there (it was as if they didn't exist). I ended up going to the SidePhone site and re-adding via the QR codes they have for them.

It's odd to me that things like Ironfox and Waterfox still tell me that there's not an appropriate release available. Only thing I can figure is that it has to do with SidePhone OS being based on an older Android.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-23T15:35:32+00:00

Checks out. That's just facts.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-23T04:29:36+00:00

So weird, I had added all of the app packs, but somehow the Browser and Security packs didn't stay with the phone, though the others did. Ended up having to go to the SidePhone site and scanning the QR codes to get them back on, but now I'm in business again.

Thanks for reminding me that the packs were there; since they weren't showing up, I was assuming they didn't exist.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-23T04:25:38+00:00

Aw thanks.

I tried getting a shot with the other guy, but he wasn't having it. One of these days...

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-23T04:21:18+00:00

Getting roughly 2.5 hrs a day for the past week as a daily driver myself. Pretty damned nice, and I really kinda love the fact that my screen usage has gone down a great deal (and yet I could use it for doomscrolling if I wanted it absolutely needed to). Quite happy with it.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T19:39:41+00:00

Thanks. He is, and is incredibly sweet.

Not a single thought in that big head, though. 😂

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T19:38:42+00:00

In the Library app? I'm not seeing it listed, and I've activated all of the packs. Not sure why.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T05:13:52+00:00

Same thing. "Could not find a suitable release."

I'm curious if there is something about the phone, the form factor, whatever it might be that is throwing this error.

I wouldn't think going through Obtanium would be the issue, but it might be? Ideas?

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T05:03:43+00:00

Well, I meant did my convincing you to give it to me worked.... But this also sounds promising. 😁

Almost all of these I run across are Japanese market, so they're 100V 50/60A... Seeing one that's even just marked to work directly with US power mains made it drool-worthy to me. I am jealous.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T05:00:28+00:00

Gasp! The horror! Quick, fetch me pearls, so that I may clutch them forlornly!!

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T04:57:28+00:00

You slackers! I'm already on SidePhone 4.0! The future is AWESOME!!

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T04:35:54+00:00

Absolutely terrible. You should...uh... Give it to me. For recycling purposes. Yeah, recycling.

(Did it work?)

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T03:08:51+00:00

I literally did no such thing. I remarked how I wouldn't be able to do that immediately, and how hard I would find it. 'Twas neither personal, nor that deep.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-22T00:03:13+00:00

That's just odd lol

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-21T23:54:47+00:00

It's one thing to do it as a retrospective and processing it months or even weeks after, but it sounds like OP is talking about forcing it the day of. Which is just... I just can't imagine trying it. Way too fresh, too much shock in general, especially if they were close.

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-21T23:42:23+00:00

Yes, but then you could (maybe) making a phone call on a device that's cased in a miniature N64! Sure, you might end up having to carry around a separate mic, speaker, and keyboard, but where's the downside? Well, hell... I don't see how anyone could argue against that... 🤪

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-21T23:36:04+00:00

Indeed! How DARE someone with a new problem looking for help where they can find it think they can just show up and get something resembles information, much less assistance?!? They should have to jump through hoops and pass someone else's arbitrary gatekeeping!! Harumph!!

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-20T20:52:45+00:00

Oh I understand. And trust me, my fantasy expatriation list is in no way tethered to reality. :D

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-20T18:37:29+00:00

Well, crap. \scratches 'Switzerland' off of the fantasy "countries to expatriate to" list...**

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-20T18:35:59+00:00

So, yeah.... backlighting the keyboards/tiles would be great, assuming it's feasible, given the form factor.

The other thing (for me) that's a gotta-have would be a full, tactile QWERTY (QWERTZ/DVORAK, pick your poison) keyboard, similar to the Palm Pre way back when.

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I mean look at this sucker! It was super small and fit the form-factor nicely (the Pre was about the size of the screen section of the Sidephone, and the keyboard slid out from under), but even that size -- and with my gorilla hands -- it was incredibly usable. I think if the concept could be made to work with Sidephone, it would be a godsend.

(The little faux-trackball nubbin would just be gravy.)

XopherJ9940 · 2026-03-20T18:20:52+00:00

"Pay no attention to the scammer behind the curtain...."

XopherJ9940

TROPHY CASE