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HMD's Nokia 2.3 has been announced for sale in the US. This low-end phone is just $129 but still manages to look like a respectable device.
[...] it runs stock Android with no crapware.
[...] There are some nice extras here, too, like a micro SD slot, a headphone jack, FM Radio support, and a dedicated Google Assistant button on the side.
[...] There are some downsides that come with the low price. First, there's no fingerprint reader. The only biometrics are a selfie-cam-powered face unlock feature, which can't be that secure since it only does a 2D face scan. Second, you're getting the old micro USB port for charging, instead of the newer, reversible USB-C, which is a shame. This also means there's no quick charging, and instead you get a pokey 5V/1A charger. Third, there's no NFC, so you won't be able to tap-and-pay at the register. Fourth, it only comes with Android 9 Pie, although an upgrade to Android 10 is planned at some point.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/01/dirt-cheap-nokia-2-3-comes-to-the-us-for-just-129/
Only downside [for me] is the fact that it actually has a selfie-cam-powered face unlock feature. How about you?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 22 2020, @10:35PM (10 children)
I'm one not wanting to pay many hundred dollars for a surveillance device. I just may buy one for when my Galaxy SII dies.
I use laptops for interacting on the Internet. For me, the "phone" (we need a new designation for these enhanced devices now) is for a few calls, email, occasional browsing and VPN access. Hopefully an OpenVPN or StrongSwan client will run on its SoC.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday January 22 2020, @10:41PM (3 children)
GPS + map apps are undeniably useful, and can be used with no data [9to5google.com] connection [soylentnews.org].
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by c0lo on Wednesday January 22 2020, @11:00PM (2 children)
... for Google (and others) to track you movements.
For everything else, there are TomTom, Garmin, Navman, etc... like in "do a single thing and do it well" philosophy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday January 22 2020, @11:10PM (1 child)
Wow, great take on half of the comment.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday January 23 2020, @10:06AM
As for the other half, any guarantee those map apps won't record and report your movements (for the past X months) next time your phone gets connectivity?
'Cause, unless it's a burner, you will need to let it connect sooner or later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by dwilson on Thursday January 23 2020, @02:02AM (2 children)
We have one. "Smartphone".
- D
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 23 2020, @06:37AM
hehehehe
thanks, that actually had me laughing quietly irl, literal lol deserves a thank you :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 23 2020, @10:45PM
"smartphone" places too strong an accent on their phone function. For many, that's a minority duty. Plus, they're not that smart, they are designed for consumers. Producers need a "smart" platform to create. Can't create much on a "smartphone". Still contend a new designation is in order.
(Score: 3, Funny) by moylan on Thursday January 23 2020, @11:13AM (1 child)
it'd be really nice if someone made one without a microphone. maybe hardware switches for gps, wifi, bt so we could turn off things we find creepy
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Thursday January 23 2020, @03:18PM
It would be difficult to make voice phone calls with the phone if it had no microphone.
In that case we'd need another word than "phone" to describe it, wouldn't we?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 23 2020, @06:54PM
Even "smartphone", that places too strong an accent on "phone", misses the mark for these devices. They started out for making/receiving calls, but for many, phoning is a minor duty. And they're not even that smart.
Still contend a new name makes sense.