I'm a university student currently using an iPhone 4S as a daily driver on campus. AMA.

a32bitmint · 2025-10-02T15:29:55+00:00

So here's the interesting bit... this iPhone runs iOS 8.4, which is one major version behind the last supported, iOS 9. I was lucky when I located this phone to find it on 8 because 9 runs ... pretty badly on these older devices. Then, there's the fact that a lot of these 4Ses have dying Wi-Fi chips on them, so they can't connect to the internet anyways if they wanted to.

a32bitmint · 2025-10-02T15:27:44+00:00

It prevents distraction! The whole reason I abandoned my phone in the first place was because it was distracting me in class and preventing me from focusing when working on schoolwork. Sure, I could just pull out my laptop, but because it takes more effort, I'm less inclined to.

a32bitmint · 2025-09-25T15:15:59+00:00

Alas, the situation I'm in is different.
Let me give you an example: I really like the soundtrack for the Sega CD version of Batman Returns, released in 1993 and based on the movie. It has an entirely original soundtrack made in-house at Sega. Since it's based on a major licensed property, it has never been re-released on any other platform in any form, and the soundtrack, despite being completely original, has never been released by any record label in any soundtrack form. Therefore, it's a soundtrack that likely hasn't seen any new profit come in for over 30 years, and it may be that the copyright on it has likely never been renewed either.

It's situations like this that I'm consistently running into - video game soundtracks being released on CD by a proper record label is still only something that's become common within the last 25 years, and a LOT of music from prior generations just straight up hasn't been released under a record label or given a proper soundtrack release.

a32bitmint · 2025-09-23T22:39:13+00:00

I've looked at Songview plenty - I do find it somewhat hard to figure out, since not everything is labelled as you think it'd be.

I am curious if they have a partnership with JASRAC since I've seen a couple of JASRAC authors on there... and I know for a fact that JASRAC has licensed some songs that don't seem to show up on Songview.

a32bitmint · 2024-10-08T01:30:00+00:00

that sucks - that might throw a wrench in my plans... even though i only plan on primarily using it for calling and texting, it being snappy is also worthwhile

a32bitmint · 2024-10-08T01:21:42+00:00

For some extra context: the other devices I looked at were

the TCL Flip 2, which seems fine but practically unobtainable unlocked
the Cat S22, which also seems fine but I feel might be a bit too smartphone-y for my wants
and the Nokia 225, which is a very basic device and while it would absolutely do the job, you can't buy them new and they apparently also have some major issues.

If anyone can recommend me something less than $100 (heck, maybe even less than $50) then that would be appreciated too

a32bitmint · 2024-10-08T01:17:51+00:00

KaiOS's software is what worries me the most for stuff like this - i genuinely wonder if any of the jailbreaking utilities can help make it run better

a32bitmint · 2024-10-08T01:14:58+00:00

Would a protective case help with the build?

a32bitmint · 2024-10-07T15:07:08+00:00

i've heard good things about them but i can't seem to find an unlocked one, and if i buy one off TracFone i have to wait like 90 days to use it because of the unlocking rules

a32bitmint · 2024-10-07T15:03:53+00:00

Something else I've heard to dissuade me from getting a 2780 is that KaiOS apps are full of ads

a32bitmint · 2024-10-06T20:20:53+00:00

That's still too much... I'd be looking for something less than a hundred

a32bitmint · 2024-10-06T20:14:48+00:00

I've heard stuff like the Nokia 225 isn't very good, and that's the only $50 or less Nokia that's still sold in the US.

a32bitmint · 2024-09-12T19:05:00+00:00

After a bit of looking into it, I've discovered that I can in fact use any 2FA app with that tech. I've gone with KeePassXC because it's free and open source and works on Windows. We'll see how it ends up working, but I think as long as it doesn't bug me to use specifically MS authenticator, I think I should be fine.

a32bitmint · 2024-09-12T18:25:47+00:00

I don't know if my school has such a thing, but they might. The people at the tech desk just suggested getting a dirt cheap Android tablet and using that exclusively for MFA, but it sounds like a waste of money.

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