Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by ectoloph 1 day ago
I really like the concept, but I think the restrictions are a double-edged sword.

The form factor and Sailfish are a lot more appealing than 'apps blocked at a system level'.

Can it run the usual apps like banking apps which can be particular about Android 'trustworthiness'?

Unfortunately, a smartphone is a near-necessity for various things like that now.

1 comments

The restrictions are a good fit for children under 16.

As a parent you want to be able to reach them, and they want to reach their friend.

And as a parent you not want them waste their minds on YouTube garbage.

As a kid you want what all other kids in your group have and do. That will not be apping via a $500 Commodore flip phone.
And as an adult that kid will thank god their parents did not get them what everyone else had when everyone else is a lobotomized idiot.
I’ve been getting my kids KaiOS flip phones where I can disable the browser via ADB. I get a year of service and a phone for around $35 (TracPhone). There’s enough minutes that they can be used for coordinating pickups and emergencies. I’ve had nearly zero issues with the exception of ADB file transfer for music.