technology

Why you’re actually an early adopter

by Mike Pumphrey · Mar 7, 2019

Oh, how I loathe that word “yet”. I hear it all the time when people see that I don’t use a smartphone. “Oh my gosh! You haven’t gotten one yet! I thought everyone had one by now.“

The primary implication being that someone without a smartphone is “behind the times” or “hasn’t caught up” or, worse, a “Luddite”.

And from the perspective of a techno-utopian, who believes that newer tech is always better, to not be on the treadmill is to be wrong. Like, get with the program, man. How are you going to scan this QR code?

But we know better. We know that newer is neither worse nor better. It’s just newer.

Instead, I suggest we turn this narrative around. Because we could just as easily be called early adopters.

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How to install mobile apps without an app store

by Mike Pumphrey · Jan 24, 2019

In my last post, I talked about how to use mobile apps without needing a smartphone or tablet to do so.

But eagle-eyed readers will notice a slight flaw in the argumentation, which goes something like this:

“If one of the reasons to use Andy is so that you can use mobile apps without having to sign in, then how can you install anything? The app store will force you to log in.“

You’re right, of course.

I struggled with this for a long time. I even wrote about this years ago in my post “Even if I wanted a smartphone, how would I use it?“.

I looked for all sorts of ways around the login restriction on the Google Play Store. But I couldn’t find anything.

Luckily, I found another way. It’s not for everyone, but it works, and it works well.

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The easiest way to use mobile apps without a smartphone

by Mike Pumphrey · Jan 17, 2019

One of the common objections against living without a smartphone is: “but I want to use Uber/Tinder/some-app-that-only-exists-on-mobile!“

And it’s true that a great many apps are now no longer coming out with a version for non-mobile devices. This is especially true for apps from newer companies, who have decided that if they have to put in development time on one type of platform, they should put it in the one that’s most designed for addiction. I mean, engagement.

But just because that’s how they want you to use the software, doesn’t mean that’s how you have to use the software.

I encountered this when I went to a FinCon, a financial media conference, a few months ago. While there was a Slack channel for engagement, most people in practice used the FinCon app.

Seriously, the QR code links to a URL, why can’t you just give it to me?

At this conference, I wanted to be as involved as possible in what was going on, but without a smartphone (or tablet), I needed to find another way.

Luckily, I found one.

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In praise of dumbphones

by Mike Pumphrey · Dec 20, 2018

Note: This post originally appeared on Empathic Finance (previously known as Unlikely Radical), a partner site to The Smartphone Free Life. It was first published on July 15, 2013.

I am one of the only people I know who doesn’t have a smartphone.

I’m not bragging about this. I just have decided that at this point, it’s not something I want in my life. I’m not suggesting you do the same, so please, no need to get defensive.

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