[fratlas]

I absolutely agree with you. I downgraded to a smart phone that only runs maps and has a camera and this has forced me to semi switch off tech when I'm away from my computer. My friends think I'm crazy (mostly because I'm a developer who doesn't have a "smart" phone).

[Omnipresent]

I'm genuinely curious to know what phone or plan you use that only runs maps and camera. Google Maps or soemthing like openstreet map? I'm looking to do something similar. Any info would be appreciated.

[Jaruzel]

I did this also. Switched from a best of breed Android phone, to a Blackberry.

Yes. A Blackberry. One of newer ones that runs BB10. It supports just enough to enable me to read mail, and message my friends, but there are hardly any useful apps for it, and most of the Android apps that you try to install on it barely work either.

Added bonus - The built in Facebook app no longer works either.

End result, the Blackberry sits in my pocket 99% of the time. My phone is now a tool again, and not a distraction.

It's perfect for me - but your mileage may vary, of course.

Edit: like Fratlas, I also get about 2-3 days of usage out of one charge.

[fratlas]

It's an iPhone 4 with a broken mic which I got for free. It's too old to run a lot of distracting apps (VSCO, Snapchat etc) and I can't call people. I have a $20/month (AUD) prepaid plan for 1GB data which gets me through easily. I guess it can only figuratively run maps/camera, but it's enough to keep me from using it 24/7. Battery also lasts several days because I use it so little.

[wingerlang]

I use and iPhone 4 (conveniently my mic is also broken) and I am not upgrading since I get /so/ much use of it. I feel it can run everything I would want from a smart phone.

My battery lasts like 10 minutes though, and the camera is kind of broken.

[fratlas]

I swear every iPhone 4 has their home button and mic broken eventually. I think the battery life dives dramatically after some point which I haven't reached. Will probably upgrade after that happens.

[wingerlang]

Actually the mic works, I just get/give no sound when in a call. Works perfectly everywhere else. Home button works as well, but I mainly use something like Assistive Touch anyways.

[8note]

i had that happen on my nexus 5. for me, it was a bug in the headphone jack, though i didnt bother to go about fixing it.

in a call, the phone thinks theres another mic installed, and tried to use that instead.

[kevin_nisbet]

lol, I do something similar. I've had to add a few apps finally for various reasons, but I basically just use my phone as a phone, I have email just so I have calendar reminders, and will occasionally do light web browsing when stuck waiting in lines (checking HN of course). Pretty much all notifications are turned off so that it's not distracting.

The funny bit for me, is I work for the phone company, on the data/signaling networks running the phones, and I barely use my cell.

[Omnipresent]

I knew a person who owned 20 liquor stores but did not drink.

[cel1ne]

I just use my iPhone 4S with IOS9, which is too slow to be used practically :).