Key Takeaways
1. Growing awareness of social media and smartphone impacts on mental health is driving interest in “dumb phones” like the Light Phone.
2. Using a Light Phone requires significant commitment due to the loss of convenience from banking, transport, and communication apps.
3. Olauncher offers a free alternative for Android users, mimicking the Light Phone experience with a minimal interface and essential features.
4. Self-discipline is necessary when using Olauncher to avoid distractions, as users can still access app stores.
5. Other minimalist launchers like Niagra Launcher and LessPhone exist, but Olauncher remains free of ads and costs.
Awareness is growing about how social media and smartphones affect our mental well-being, leading to a rise in “dumb phones.” Companies like Light are seizing the opportunity to offer alternatives for those wanting to escape the lure of smartphones. As reviews for the Light Phone 3 start to appear, it’s becoming evident that you really need to be dedicated to leaving behind a smartphone to use one.
The Commitment to Change
Many banks, payment apps, and even public transport heavily rely on the use of apps, making it quite challenging to function without a smartphone. Moreover, lots of us have invested significant amounts in high-end smartphones for their excellent cameras, navigation, and messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. Choosing to use a Light Phone means giving up almost all these conveniences.
A Handy Alternative
Fortunately, there’s a useful free app called Olauncher: Minimal AF Launcher (with AF meaning Advertising-Free) that mimics the Light Phone experience on any Android device. This app replaces your current launcher and provides a straightforward text interface that resembles the Light Phone. You can set up to 8 shortcuts on your home screen, which can also show the date, time, and your total screen time. The app drawer transforms into a text list of apps in alphabetical order, and you can quickly search for apps using the keyboard.
You can access some additional helpful features, like swiping left for the camera and right for contacts. Unlike the Light Phone, multitasking is available, and you can even set a daily wallpaper, but that might defeat the purpose of minimizing the device’s appeal.
Self-Control is Key
Using Olauncher still requires some self-discipline. You have to remove any apps you wish to avoid, and even then, there’s nothing stopping you from going back to the Play Store to download them again. However, to be prepared to spend $599 (early bird) or $799 (regular price) on a Light Phone, you would need a certain level of self-control already.
Exploring Alternatives
There are other options out there too. Niagra Launcher is a well-known choice that has been available for several years, providing a similar but more visually appealing way to access your apps. Indestract: Minimalist Launcher and LessPhone: Minimal Launcher offer experiences akin to Olauncher, but all of these generally require some “in-app purchases” to unlock full features.
OLauncher remains free of ads and costs (and will continue to be free, as per the developer). You can find it on Fdroid and Google Play, and its source code is available for review on Github.
A Costly Experiment
Trying out the Light Phone is certainly not an inexpensive way to see if you can live without a smartphone. You might want to consider a Nokia 3210 instead, though many might be deterred by the frustrating T9 text input.
For Android users, it’s reassuring to know that there are distraction-free alternatives that allow us to retain the essential features and fantastic cameras of our current smartphones.
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