Smartphones might be a temporary peak in computing history. I prefer other interfaces:
- My watch for quick notifications. It limits what I can do, forcing me to focus on what’s important.
- Laptop for serious work. I type faster and can mirror my iPhone for phone-related tasks.
- Meta sunglasses for audio and taking pictures. I’m looking forward to when Siri or MetaAI catch up to ChatGPT.
I did a 30-day experiment. I put my phone in a bag and carried a small notebook instead. Here’s what I learned:
-
I customized my watch more, creating three main faces:
- Minimalist
- Health and wellness (my usual default)
- Car-focused
-
The notebook was crucial. It encouraged reflection and gave me something to interact with, filling the phone-shaped void in my pocket.
-
I realized I could do many “phone tasks” with the notebook, but with less distraction.
-
Thanks to iPhone mirroring, I only used my actual phone for on-the-go calls. At home or work, I barely touched it.
This experiment showed me how much I could streamline my digital life by relying less on my smartphone.