Well I would be one of those noobs, not having used signal or the like before. :) Camera app–are invites done via a QR code then? And we don’t use FB or any of that poison. I doubt I can get anyone to try it out anyway, but good to know about it just in case. Use case would be either an old no-sim phone or android tablet connecting to wifi or wifi hotspot, and/or a laptop/desktop from home.

Thanks! They also have a desktop and a terminal version, nice.

A search for that term brings up about 10 different things from crypto to herpes, nothing about a messaging app

That seems like a better idea, but it 's the same old problem where you’d have to get the people you want to communicate with to switch from Signal to that.

I don’t know how to get one and shouldn’t have to, just to use an app like Signal. Why isn’t there one we can use without having to give them a phone #?

So it’s still yes, you do have to have a phone number.

I thought you had to have a phone number to use Signal.

Many flip phones also work as MP3 players (some better than others) so those 2 could be combined in one device, depending on the features you want.

Unfortunately spam texts and calls are the bane of having any kind of phone. :( “Do not disturb” settings that allow contacts only can help but don’t fully solve the problem.

Thanks :)

Oh, I guess it could be a combination of that and the dystopian novel.

Why that date? Is it from the book 1984?

OK? I was responding to your original statement “Find me one with an unlimited hotspot plan, and I’ll switch tomorrow.” since that made it sound like you didn’t have any other criteria.

It’s a Sunbeam Wireless F1 Pro.

As long as the phone has the ability to act as a hotspot (many dumphones do), the amount of data is up to the service plan you sign up for, not limited by the phone itself. I use Tello which offers unlimited data plans, but the plan I use only has 1 GB/mo (of which I use almost none). I guess you need to make sure the phone you buy is unlocked so you can shop around for the best service provider.

I didn’t have to switch because I’ve never used a smartphone to begin with. My current dumbphone has a great UI, touchscreen for easy input even though it’s a very small screen, headphone jack, SD card slot, etc. It can act as a hotspot and has maps/voice navigation and current weather + daily forecast. The Tello service plan I have (uses T-Mobile network) is about $9.40/month. That’s with 1 GB data, but you can get unlimited data if for some reason you want that.

There is also a subscription available ($3.50/mo) which gives you live updated maps, voice dictation, and hourly weather+radar but I haven’t needed those things (edit: though I’d like to have the radar). I just use the offline maps (more private anyway–you periodically download the latest map data), and I don’t need the other stuff. (edit: I have a Sunbeam Wireless phone and live in the US).

There are some inconveniences of course, like all the businesses you interact with want you to install their tracking apps, but I wouldn’t put that kind of crap on it even if I did have a smartphone. The main one that causes me issues is the grocery store that has special discounts (“digital coupons”) on some items if you use their app. I already have their damn store card which gives me the sale price on most stuff but now they also have this digital deal crap. I can work around that by going to their website ahead of time and look at what all digital coupons they have that week, and click on the ones I want so they will be on my card, which gives me the discount at checkout without needing their app–but I strongly resent having to do that. If they want to put something on sale, put it on sale for everyone! But no–it’s all about tracking you. Pigs. But I digress. Point is I get by fine without a smartphone, ymmv.

But there are no such people with nothing to hide.

Tug o’snake

Comments all seem to refer to an article and this post doesn’t link to any article. ? (edit: never mind, I looked up the name and I don’t need to see anything more).

I have a small camera (a little smaller than a phone) that can do photos and videos.

The phone will be powered off before leaving the house and only turned on if absolutely needed to make a call. Hopefully that’s enough for no GPS/cell tower tracking, right? Don’t need to wrap it in foil?