Appification

[Protagoras]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/sep/26/schoolchildren-smartphones-higher-bus-fares-england

Yet another example of 'solutions' not inclusive of those who don't have a so-called smart phone or who don't want to install loads of apps.

The forced applfication just isn't reasonable. Why should people need to waste money on expensive phones just to travel at reasonable cost?

 

[courtg9000]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/sep/26/schoolchildren-smartphones-higher-bus-fares-england

Yet another example of 'solutions' not inclusive of those who don't have a so-called smart phone or who don't want to install loads of apps.

The forced applfication just isn't reasonable. Why should people need to waste money on expensive phones just to travel at reasonable cost?

This is quite serious as there are new mobile phone policies for schools, not only that but some schools only allow brick phones, calls, yes, texts yes, anything else no. A friend of mine has a son going to one of these schools and they say its an absolute pain.

 

[ladymuck]

Anything targeting children or low income households should not require an internet connection or smartphone.

 

[courtg9000]

Anything targeting children or low income households should not require an internet connection or smartphone.

I agree

 

[sadkingbilly]

Anything targeting children or low income households should not require an internet connection or smartphone.

or anyone who just doesn't WANT to own a sodding 'smartphone'.

 

[woody1]

or anyone who just doesn't WANT to own a sodding 'smartphone'.

I bought one a few years ago, mainly to take on holiday in case we needed internet access (checking flights etc). To me, they are a crap compromise. Crap as an internet device (tiny screen, no proper keyboard or mouse), crap as a phone (over twice the size and weight of a dumb phone).

However, I'm sure if you spend enough of your life glued to one, which many people seem to do, then you'd get very good at it.

Having said all that, I am an

 

[WooHooNomad]

I bought one a few years ago, mainly to take on holiday in case we needed internet access (checking flights etc). To me, they are a crap compromise. Crap as an internet device (tiny screen, no proper keyboard or mouse), crap as a phone (over twice the size and weight of a dumb phone).

However, I'm sure if you spend enough of your life glued to one, which many people seem to do, then you'd get very good at it.

Having said all that, I am an

I think there is a market for just a phone with an AI voice on it. Just to do basic things, call people, email, message, directions, prescriptions, etc. My Dad is getting on now and his eyesight is poor and he can barely use his smartphone, probably any phone. It would be good to have a patient AI voice he could talk to and send messages on his behalf. It could also go disastrously wrong though

 

[courtg9000]

I think there is a market for just a phone with an AI voice on it. Just to do basic things, call people, email, message, directions, prescriptions, etc. My Dad is getting on now and his eyesight is poor and he can barely use his smartphone, probably any phone. It would be good to have a patient AI voice he could talk to and send messages on his behalf. It could also go disastrously wrong though

If you are handy with a webserver https://localai.io/#start
Perhaps set this up, self hosted web front ends are available and then you would just need to find an LLM to suit your dad. it might work
This github might be worth a peruse if you want to stand something up https://github.com/zebbern/no-cost-ai

 

[woody1]

My Dad is getting on now and his eyesight is poor and he can barely use his smartphone, probably any phone.

My wife is quite long sighted and, even with reading glasses, she'd struggle to use a smartphone. I got her a big button dumb phone as an emergency phone for when she's out and about. I don't know if one of these would help your Dad?

 

[WooHooNomad]

My wife is quite long sighted and, even with reading glasses, she'd struggle to use a smartphone. I got her a big button dumb phone as an emergency phone for when she's out and about. I don't know if one of these would help your Dad?

I think it may come to that, actually I will suggest that to him.