Ask HN: What are the productive ways of using a smartphone?

Back when BlackBerrys were still popular, a surprising number of authors used them to type out their novels while on commutes. Unfortunately, nobody makes devices with physical keyboards anymore, and virtual keyboards aren't as good for longterm typing, but I suppose if you were dedicated you could still do it.

Any article I find on HN and similar sites is bookmarked into a folder called “Inbox”.

I then use my phone’s browser reading mode to read through that inbox. And rebookmark into the appropriate folder or forget about it.

I consider this a productive use of my smartphone. I’ve definitely learned a lot by reading.

I am on iPhone but I’ve considered buying the Galaxy Fold so I could split screen browser and a notes app.

Duolingo. I’ve learned much more French in the past 60 days than I thought possible. It leverages normally toxic engagement patterns to teach me how to speak with millions of people.

If you find yourself staring at your phone a lot, try to replace whatever you shouldn’t be looking at with a quick language lesson.

I made mine very silent, so it only bothers me for things that need my immediate attention. I no longer get email on my phone.

I use my smartphone to identify bugs and plants when I walk in nature. I use it to answer random questions I have about my surroundings. It's also a really good map, a camera, and a handful of other tools.

Before I got an iPad, I used my phone to read books and saved articles. I figured it's better than mindless browsing. Eventually I used an ad blocker to restrict access to certain websites. That made it a tool, instead of a source of entertainment.

As I'm deep in the Apple Ecosystem, I installed a few apps that I also have on my iPad and my Macs (Things, iA Writer, Bear, …) if I need to jot things down on the go. It also has my non-fiction e-books if I ever need to read something when I'm out (rarely, as my kindle is usually with me). I only have notifications for things I like to be reminded about (Calendar, Streak, Things) and I disable them for anything else. It also has my Language Learning courses' audio files.

I use mine for tracking things, communications and reading the most.

I've disabled notifications for everything so it's a passive tool, and then use it to track workouts (GymRoutines), steps (Paseo), diet (MyFitnessPal) and communicate (calls, messaging and email), then use it for reading books and articles (Moon+ Reader and Wallabag).

- disable notifications

- disable anything that shows up without your interaction

- use it like a PC (open apps to view information when you need to)

Notion.so or similar app, keep lots of info there and you can review that and make minor edits.

Video course providers normally have apps.

Make all the phone calls you need to make for whatever reasons. Use a todo list to remind you.

Not tried but tempted to do a VSCode remote/server thing and use a bluetooth keyboard to code “on” the phone!

No need to be productive all the time. I think just limiting total hours is ok...

- Disable all notifications

- Audible

- Some podcast app

- No social media apps. I mean literally none

- Zero apps on Home Screen

Works like a charm for me

more productive to not use it lol.

it's good for instant messaging but other than that, it's a waste of time.

Disable all notifications.