I Don’t Have a Smartphone…

I don't have a smartphone, is what I tell people nowadays. This simple statement cuts through the constant push from companies and restaurants to have me install their apps or scan QR codes. Installing those apps feels like being glued to a small screen, dependent on a major American corporation. When I make purchases, from kitchen appliances to cars, I now often ask sellers to confirm I won't need to install any apps.

In just one year, I had to argue against installing 18 different smartphone apps. At home, I'm supposed to have apps for my toilet seat, flush, and ventilation system. If each app is used for only three minutes daily, that adds up to nearly an hour of your day each year! To install an app or scan a QR code, you must assume several things: the person owns a smartphone, has it with them, it's in working condition, has enough battery, storage, network coverage, and data.

They must be comfortable using the phone and accept the app's terms, which often involve sharing personal data and creating an account. This list of assumptions is long and complex. Just one false assumption can prevent someone from using the app. Most people find it odd that anyone would install these apps, especially when updates could worsen performance.

Real workers often appreciate my stance and share my view. I use a Mudita Kompakt, a minimalist smartphone with an e-ink display, which allows me to install apps while avoiding Google. I have Signal for messaging and Komoot for GPS navigation, but I don't use many other apps. I prefer the smartphone concept for its tools but don't want unnecessary browser or social media apps.

I have a FairPhone 3 with the Google-free /e/OS operating system for banking, which I prefer to use on my computer. My teenagers taught me that some apps, like Strava, require Google services to function, so I use a secondary phone with microG enabled to avoid this issue.