- A camera (to snap pictures of our kids)
- A map for navigation
- Authentication apps for banking
There seem to be a few success stories in the comments. I'd be curious to hear how they made up for the missing features I listed...
[0] https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp02-4g-mobile-phone/ [1] https://mudita.com/products/phones/mudita-pure/
I have different user accounts for different tasks, with privoxy set up to block irrelevant network traffic . Admittedly I mostly use a desktop computer for my online life so it's tailored toward that, but I did configure my phone to use a proxy as well it's been working pretty well.
Means I can cut back on "mindless" social media use without having to cut back on intentional use. I did a write-up here: https://www.marginalia.nu/log/99_context/
My phone is without a doubt the single most-useful electronic gadget in my house, and it’s not a close call. My desktop machine and laptop are nothing but toys unless I’m building stuff for computers. (My tablet is the second most-useful, and again, it’s not a close call)
Interesting, what software/platform do you use on the phone?
That’s one of the few of those that works just as well on a desktop or laptop—the difference is, if it’s something time-sensitive and comes in while you’re, say, in the line at the grocery store, or just on the couch watching TV, you just tap-tap-tap-tap and you’re done, move on with your day, barely even interrupts whatever you’re doing.
[edit] that is, the functionality’s just as good on desktop, but it’s not better, and a phone is far more convenient.