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Comment by lolive | Hacker News Reader

The phone is not smart or dumb. The user is.

Considering that the darker edges of "app engagement" are trying to replicate gambling addiction, I hesitate to call users dumb when they don't act in their best self interest.

Removing the insult of "dumb" users vs "smart" users, gambling addiction is an interesting parallel since it's not something that everyone is equally prone to. Lots of people out there who can play poker, slots, blackjack, whatever, and not damage their life as a result.

So I'll keep my ability to pick and choose how "smart" my phone is. I think there's room for people to advertise that no, you don't lose much if you turn off notifications for Facebook or whatever, but I don't want Apple to change anything.

Actually most of the pressure has been social, i.e. peer pressure. "Why aren't you using this app? How can I reach you?" etc. Just have to say no and stick to your own plan.

It's not that simple though. Those people aren't pressuring you into doing drugs, they just want to be in touch – hardly a crime. Just saying "no" without providing some kind of credible alternative can make you a hermit, and not everyone is OK with that.

If you don't want to be bothered you don't want to be bothered. Also it's not like you're off the grid. You have more structured (and meaningful) communication on non-immediate devices, when you want it. People who care will reach you no matter.

I just moved to Android this week, after 9 years on Windows Phone. Android is making me feel very, very stupid indeed.

Still on Windows Phone. Their inability to create a 3rd mobile ecosystem gives me all the smart features I want without the cost of apple or the dark patterns of android. Not that they didn't try... I know it won't last forever, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

For not switching sooner? Just curious :/

Because nothing comes close to the simplicity and utility that was Windows Phone 8. 10 mostly brought Windows on par with iOS and Android functionally, whilst mostly retaining the simplicity and utility of 8. Add their (used to be) industry-leading cameras and there's an insanely compelling reason to not switch, if you're OK not getting and then having all teh appz.

I've played with Android off and on for ages. My girlfriend has always had iPhones, so I've always had a pretty good view of where both operating systems were at.

Neither were compelling, but after my 950XL broke it was time. And while I know how terrible Android is for an 8th go at the same OS, I'm blown away at the low quality bar Google has managed to get the world to accept. It's like Symbian all over again, but this time with touch screens.

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