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Comment by bminusl | Hacker News Reader

I would like to use a pager-like device as a grocery shopping list. But a pager isn't quite what I'm looking for (I think).

Basically, I need a small device that can fit in a pocket, with a long battery life, a simple display, and a few buttons. Bonus points if it's cheap and easily hackable.

What are the options?

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If you don’t mind a bit of work, you could look into one of the DIY smart watches on hackaday or whatever. Since you don’t need a watch form factor, that should give you a little extra room in terms of size or components. I found them a little too bulky as a watch for my taste, but they might work as a pager-like device.

You reminded me of Watchy[1] (which I completely forgot about). It is a good contender.

[1]: https://watchy.sqfmi.com/

This sounds exactly like an older palm pilot.

They used ram for persistent storage because the battery life was so long (due to a very slow dragon ball CPU and those dot-matrix displays.)

The palm III was probably one of the best hand-held computers ever made, if there were a way to put a modern modem in it to get texts I would probably use that instead of my phone.

I actually had a pager add-on PCB in my Palm Pilot. Worked great.

https://www.crowdsupply.com/sutajio-kosagi/precursor

How about a small notepad made of paper? What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it?

> What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it?

- Adding items remotely

- Automatic item sorting

- Pre-made lists

What about a raspberry pi + thermal receipt printer? You could have a way (or several ways) to add items remotely and automatically sort items and then print the list just as you’re about to head into the store. And with thermal receipt tape you could mark off that you’ve got the item in your cart with your fingernail.

Interesting idea. I'll keep that in mind.

Palm Pilot? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PalmPilot

Not exactly, I'm looking for something more minimalist.

I would love for a modern low-power LCD/e-ink palmtop, but sadly I haven't seen the likes of it since the old Psions.

this is my dream! I used to use a Pebble watch for grocery lists, but the display is just too small for a larger list.

It would be fantastic to have something that is basically a half-sized palm pilot (say, 4" tall, 2" wide), eink/memory lcd, and the ability to rotate (not automatically.) There's probably a digital price tag that could work for the screen.

When I was using my Pebbles more often, it was great to be out and never check my phone for anything. Back in the day we could have set responses -- but as the years go on, we lose some functionality. The Rebble project will probably fix this one day.

Tamagotchi?

Perfection.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but have you considered going back to paper?

After unending frustration with Siri and grocery lists, I just went back to paper. It works brilliantly. The "shared list" is my wife texting me things to add to the list, and I immediately take the piece of paper out of my wallet and write stuff on it.

I've been using phones, computers, PDA's, and electronic organizers for grocery lists for decades, and none have worked as well, or been as useful as a piece of folded paper.

The return of the "Hipster PDA" (speaking as one who did this for a few years).

I believe see also "bullet journal."

I have always used paper.

But there are some things I would like to improve, see [1].

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27016068

May I ask why you don't want to use a phone? You don't want to carry/look at it for the other stuff that a phone has?

Phones are generally too bulky for my liking. I prefer to have something simple and light. And I care way less if it's stolen or lost.

Is pickpocketing still a thing? My perception is that between wallets full of plastic and phones that can be remotely locked, it has almost completely disappeared. I remember being told to be wary in crowded places as a kid, but nowadays I'm very careless and nothing happens.

Bike thefts though, they are a serious issue that I plan my life around.

Lol you have never been to Barcelona I gather. Pickpocketing is a huge business here. I say business because Spanish law doesn't allow to prosecute them (only fines for thefts up to €400) so lots of scumbags basically make it their job.

When my wallet was pickpocketed I searched the bins in the nearby metro stations and found 6 wallets with ID cards etc and many phone cases (a stolen phone is much less identifiable without its case). Sadly I never found mine. I live here so I'm used to it but even then they can catch you off-guard.

Note that crime in the US overall has gone wayyyy down since you were likely a kid. We're at Leave It To Beaver levels.

Overall yes, single states no. https://www.safehome.org/resources/crime-statistics-by-state...

You should try to find something more .gov to link to for statistics, rather than a PR company that flogs home security systems and devices.

How about this, from the Portland, Oregon police dept .gov domain: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/81203

   January 2019,  32 shootings
   January 2020,  50 shootings
   January 2021, 104 shootings

Lots of restless gang-bangers in Portland.

It doesn't help that Portland de-funded the gang enforcement team a while ago. It also doesn't help that some are agitating to abolish the police entirely.

Now Portland is making a big deal of getting FBI and state help to deal with this growing problem.

Yes, it's an anecdote, but you can find many similar anecdotes from all around the country.

And yet a lot of people think that it's gone up because of skewed reporting.

Depends on the state where you live. If you live in New Mexico it doesn't matter if the crime rate in Mew York goes down. https://www.safehome.org/resources/crime-statistics-by-state...

In 2019, I had my phone and wallet stolen in Barcelona via pickpocketing. I know of someone who had their wallet stolen in the Madrid subway the same way. I’ve not heard of it recently in the US though.

The wallets full of plastic remark doesn't really apply in Spain, where tons more people carry real amounts of cash.

If your of an older demographic, that may potentially have a wad of cash, pickpocketing is still very much a problem. Especially in tourist spots.

Oddly the Vatican has a high crime rate because of this

Find an old palm pilot on eBay with a refurbished battery. Instant digital notebook for the cost of a few dollars/pounds.

Might as well go for one of the even older models that ran on 2xAAA. Not like you're losing compatibility with modern hardware.

I like the idea of the Lightphone 2. E ink display and minimal functionality. Plus it’s small and has a long battery life.

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