I've wished for years that there would be an actual e-ink only laptop. Or (even better) an aftermarket e-ink screen for my current laptop, because I'm quite happy with the rest of the machine.

e-Ink seems like the perfect solution to : how do I make my phone functional for when I need to use it, but unpleasant enough I don’t want to use it

At the moment I have my iphone set to black-and-white but still find myself idly browsing

I think I’ll buy this phone

I could probably live without iMessage (though I wouldn't love it), but the one thing I really cannot live without is a great camera. My child is still young, my wife and I are still enjoying ourselves (when we have time), and I really do cherish the photos. I know I could get a separate camera, but it's not the as being able to snap photos spontaneously.

What I really want is a super reliable way to block social media from my iPhone, only allowing a short window per day.

I use "Freedom", but it doesn't reliably block things, and I end up cheating.

Personally I've downgraded my phone intentionally, from an iPhone 14 Pro to an iPhone SE 2020 (the previous iPhone I had). It's slow, it overheats, the battery is short. But that's what I want -- the friction makes me really consider every use of the phone, and the occasional slowdowns frustrate me just enough to reconsider taking it out of my pocket for everything. It kind of "works" for me. Might get a battery pack though hahah

We really need better software for this type of phone to take off.

The technology is needed to avoid short video / social media addiction but a working map app is a must.

The device in the article is $400 (and obviously requires migrating to a new phone.) Don't get me wrong, it does seem like a decent solution - but for those looking for a lower friction (or lower cost) way to use your phone less, this is my system, which works very well: 1) lock away your phone in a separate box or room away from where you are, 2) make the phone as unappealing as possible (grayscale, disable animations, don't upgrade models, fill up storage so it's very slow), 3) increase friction on the device itself; uninstall any interesting apps and use "one sec" to block stuff in the browser.

With these interventions I went from using my phone for hours a day to using it (most days) only when necessary, and some days not at all. Feels very liberating!

As far as reading goes, I switched back to physical books.

Can you get root on this thing?

Can I recompile all (or at least most, modulo firmware blobs) of the software running on it?

Obviously I'm not expecting Pixel/GrapheneOS levels of openness. But I'm hoping it's not Samsung-level icky.

1. I type faster with a touchscreen because I use the swipe finger thing, so a physical keyboard is not really that interesting

2. I doubt that keyboard will last forever, it will probably get quite dirty or tired.

3. I don't think an ink screen saves that much power.

4. I just have a cheap smartphone without 4G internet, 2 euros/months, 50MB in case I need to read some email. That way I will not stay on my phone for long.

5. I watch movies and shows on my phone, actually.

6. Physical books feel better, honestly.

Although I can find it useful to write code with it, but again, apps are not tailored to write code, the toolchains are not made for it.

I've been using a BigMe HiBreak pro and it's pretty good! I have had issues with the usb port but after removing some cruft I really like it. Easy on the eyes, full android and I can watch videos in a pinch.

I find it makes it easier to do something else with my free time.

Ditch the keyboard and price it like a kindle and I'm sold.