I do not have social media, and that is not what I meant at all. The Kompakt did not function as a basic phone, group messaging, text messaging, ability to change ringtones, set a timer, functional alarm clock, etc etc many other things. So in an effort to try to make the Kompakt function like any basic feature phone, as have been available since the 90s. I attempted to make it work, by sideloading, and changing settings. Which I had to learn to use a terminal, using a computer, futzing with the Kompakt. Along with that came inkOS, and this opportunity to customize.
Now in comparison, when I purchased my Sunbeam F1, I turned it on, loaded my contacts onto the phone. Done. That was it, I was able to move on with my life.
I do not believe a phone is a minimalist phone if it has the ability to be customized. The Kompakt is simply not like a Punkt MP02, Light Phone II or a Sunbeam Flip phone, itâs a degoogled smartphone. But it is also broken and does not have basic phone functions, I couldnât have simply used it out of the box without going into the process of learning how to sideload, and at the end of the day, that wasnât even a solution.
Any phone can behave like a minimalist phone, you can even put a passcode on an iPhone so that itâs completely incapable of accessing the internet or installing apps. But a true minimalist phone cannot access installing apps or a web browser, no matter what. And I have found that is very important. I am not making the decision to not have apps on my Sunbeam, it is simply impossible. The decision was made on the purchase, and now I hold to it, rather than one where if I wanted to I could install something and go back on my decision at any time. This causes Brain Drain, where there is a constant resistance being made in the mind. It is the same as if you quit smoking, but still had a pack of cigarettes in your pocket. Yes you can go to the store, but that is simply more effort than reaching in your pocket and pulling them out. Having to buy a new device vs plugging a device into a computer and sideloading is a huge difference.
As the term minimalist phone is vague and argued over what defines it, I recommend anyone who is seeking an escape from smartphones research what defines a Kosher phone, and seek out a phone that is Kosher.
