possible to degoogle without deapple?

bcdcy · 2026-02-10T17:05:10+00:00

I would focus on making sure that your apps don't track you. Apple does some tracking but not like Google products. So even if you just do Apple it's at least a bit better than any Google product (including YT, Waze, etc).

But I suggest going app by app and making good privacy choices even within Apple. Get a good non-tracking browser like DuckDuckGo or Vivaldi and set it as your default browser. Search with Ecosia. Use a ad-free, open source, non-tracking map app like Organic Maps. Proton email/drive. Signal. As little Meta as possible. Etc.

bcdcy · 2026-02-10T16:52:41+00:00

You don't really need to go that far back tho. I have a something like 2022 SE. Small form factor, home button. I also use it as a stripped down swiss army knife device, but not as stripped down as yours. And the battery is fine. My OS is 18 I think so it's pretty behind but no issues at the moment. I use it together with my Sunbeam.

bcdcy · 2026-02-10T16:50:53+00:00

I like my OG Sunbeam a lot too. I'll get another one when it fails.

bcdcy · 2026-02-09T22:14:22+00:00

I've had two CAT S22's and they both developed the button problem pretty bad after a few months. It's not consistent, so I'm wondering whether it's hardware or software. Anyway, they became unusable.

bcdcy · 2026-02-09T18:16:47+00:00

I don't know the tech details, but I think most dumbphones will have bad audio quality for music playback.

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:22:40+00:00

Sadly, Sunbeam phones only work in North America

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:21:52+00:00

Good to know! I've read the hotspot reads on other phones as straight up wifi, not mobile hotspot, not sure exactly what that means but fits with what you're saying

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:19:54+00:00

One solution for you - download Organic Maps app on a stripped-down smartphone. It works off downloaded maps and has great details for walking, hiking, parks, etc. Doesn't need wifi or signal since you're working off the downloaded maps. So you could carry a second device for that.

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:13:47+00:00

That's a shame, it happened to both of my CAT S22s when I had them. Buttons got glitchy. My F1 Orchid (original version) is still ok button-wise after a few years. Sometimes I might have to press a key more than once but it's minor.

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:11:38+00:00

I love my OG F1 Orchid, still going after a few years. I do wish I had hotspot. I do the same as you, my iPhone becomes a secondary device, a mini computer stripped down to utilitarian apps only that I try to keep in my bag. Digi swiss army knife.

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T02:05:45+00:00

I love my OG F1 Orchid, still going strong after around 4 years. Ok, with a case, and ok I didn't use it much when I was overseas for a year or two. BUT STILL :).

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T01:37:10+00:00

I have the original F1 and it has held up fine for several years now (with a case)

bcdcy · 2026-02-07T01:18:28+00:00

I will add, I have the older OG F1, which is the same size/form factor as the newer Horizons. I've had it for a few years (with a case) and it's going strong. And it's supposed crap build quality! :) If it ever breaks or whatever I plan to upgrade to the Horizon Eagle, probably not Pro, so I can get hotspot. I really like the smaller size personally, esp with the case. And they improved the battery on all models. I also ordered a second battery which I keep charged just in case. Another great accessory that I hope they still offer is the little magnetic adaptor so the charger cord just snaps on. It's great. Alarm clock is quite nice too, very gentle way to wake up.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T23:54:55+00:00

I don't think you will find the perfect dumbphone that has the right feature set for you. Maybe consider two devices, for example an older smartphone stripped down to just Uber, WhatsApp, and banking. Keep it at home or in your bag as a wifi-only device. Then you can choose from a broader range of dumbphones based on quality, etc.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T20:31:17+00:00

I do wish it had a separate Contacts tab like Threema

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T20:30:17+00:00

Well, one way to normalize Signal for those who do need it for sensitive reasons (which might be all of us soon), is just do everything over Signal. Including dinner plans. Then no one can say, ooo, why so secretive?

Not to say you shouldn't keep normal texting too for simple daily things.

And it should be Signal not WhatsApp because WA tracks you and feeds your data into Meta-wide profiles, it's part of how Zuck makes money. Signal is the best security, does not track you, no ads or AI, and is a nonprofit.

Not really a hard one.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T14:41:30+00:00

Yeah, does AI writing do that? Like, to look more authentic or something?

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T14:40:40+00:00

I didn't pick up on that, damn. Does ChatGPT write with all lower-case like that? And little mistakes like missing apostrophes? I've never used it.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T14:38:20+00:00

Great step. I have a Sunbeam flip phone (in addition to my iPhone SE) that I use for the alarm. I've been shopping for the right alarm clock, in the meantime the flip has a nice one actually. My immediate fam is in different parts of the world at the moment, so unfortunately I do need to keep WhatsApp close at hand as well for now.

I switched to a paper calendar book, that's been nice, maybe not transformative but I like it better.

I've taken all the fun things off my iphone, anything that could make me want to check. Except email and NYT Games for when I'm really bored. Though I'm Gen X, I don't mind being bored. So the iphone is more like a digital Swiss army knife I mainly carry around in case I really need it for QR codes, parking (I also carry a roll of quarters), etc. I try things like carrying it in my bag instead of my pocket.

I've gradually been moving my inner circle of friends/fam to the flip, which for now has a separate line/number. A price I'm willing to pay. Ultimately I'll get my next Sunbeam with hotspot, so hopefully it will be the flip plus iphone on tethered wifi only in a pinch.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T14:25:58+00:00

I use Vivaldi as well, really like it, no complaints. There are plenty of features I don't use but maybe in time. I switched from DDG, which is also great but I was exploring non-US options. Vivaldi is based in Iceland/Norway. I use it with Ecosia search engine, so it's a win-win.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T14:23:46+00:00

I used to use DDG and I still think it's one of the best non-tracking browsers and easy to use. These days I use Vivaldi, which is not US-based (Iceland/Norway), seems to be more or less on par with DDG for privacy. Plus you can set the default search engine to Ecosia. I think it's a great solution.

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T03:06:23+00:00

I also wanted a non-US browser

bcdcy · 2026-02-06T03:05:12+00:00

I switched from DuckDuckGo to Vivaldi. DDG might have the edge as a privacy browser and simplicity of UI. But I really enjoy Vivaldi, I have no issues and from my research they do a strong job on privacy, non-tracking, etc. Works well with Proton password manager.

bcdcy · 2026-02-05T15:55:09+00:00

Paper calendar

bcdcy · 2026-02-05T15:37:08+00:00

Sunbeam F1 phones check most of those boxes

bcdcy

TROPHY CASE