I found I was really, as another poster said, "disappearing into smartphone-land" at every available opportunity. My procrastination levels went through the roof, as I previously had only a dumb-phone. I have an iPhone (4) now but have found out to keep the distraction stuff to a minimum. Apple make it quite easy, can't speak to Android.
Just go to settings->restrictions and turn off app installation, safari, itunes, and whatever. When it asks for a passcode, ask a good friend / family member / SO to type one in and remember it if you need it back at any point.
So now I just have "core functions" of a phone that are useful in a non-distractful way, and a few other relevant apps.
Core functions:
- Camera
- iPod
- Camera
- Notepad
- Calendar
- Reminders
- Clock, alarm clock
- Calculator
- Maps (well, apple maps)
- Weather
- Email
- Phone and text
These functions are actually really good, as they bring together what were formerly separate devices into your pocket, but they don't really change your behavior. You're still a person, not a zombie.
Then, I have some additional functional apps:
- Sleep cycle (upgraded alarm clock)
- Torch
- Google translate (for travelling)
- TripAdvisor, AirBnB (ditto)
- Duolingo (for learning French)
- Online banking app
- Facebook Messenger (I see it as an extension of SMS)
- WhatsApp (as above)
- Soundcloud (basically an online iPod)
- Skype (phone)
- SkyScanner and
- Couple of online shopping apps (eBay, Amazon, RedLaser)
So all of those extra apps are things which actively improve my life and/or are "lifehacks" bridging me to the real world - instead of going to the bank, I go to my online app, and so on. Saves time.
That's pretty much it. The standard apps replace a whole bunch of devices and books. The extra apps come in really handy. But with Safari disabled, and having not installed all the trendy "social" media apps, I'm still connected with the real world. I don't feel I'm missing much.
The only bum note is that certain useful apps - like Google Maps - have inbuilt web browsers which are easily accessible. So I can't use them. It would be nice if developers respected the "Restrictions->Safari" setting instead of ignoring it.
Just go to settings->restrictions and turn off app installation, safari, itunes, and whatever. When it asks for a passcode, ask a good friend / family member / SO to type one in and remember it if you need it back at any point.
So now I just have "core functions" of a phone that are useful in a non-distractful way, and a few other relevant apps.
Core functions: - Camera - iPod - Camera - Notepad - Calendar - Reminders - Clock, alarm clock - Calculator - Maps (well, apple maps) - Weather - Email - Phone and text
These functions are actually really good, as they bring together what were formerly separate devices into your pocket, but they don't really change your behavior. You're still a person, not a zombie.
Then, I have some additional functional apps:
- Sleep cycle (upgraded alarm clock) - Torch - Google translate (for travelling) - TripAdvisor, AirBnB (ditto) - Duolingo (for learning French) - Online banking app - Facebook Messenger (I see it as an extension of SMS) - WhatsApp (as above) - Soundcloud (basically an online iPod) - Skype (phone) - SkyScanner and - Couple of online shopping apps (eBay, Amazon, RedLaser)
So all of those extra apps are things which actively improve my life and/or are "lifehacks" bridging me to the real world - instead of going to the bank, I go to my online app, and so on. Saves time.
That's pretty much it. The standard apps replace a whole bunch of devices and books. The extra apps come in really handy. But with Safari disabled, and having not installed all the trendy "social" media apps, I'm still connected with the real world. I don't feel I'm missing much.
The only bum note is that certain useful apps - like Google Maps - have inbuilt web browsers which are easily accessible. So I can't use them. It would be nice if developers respected the "Restrictions->Safari" setting instead of ignoring it.