I’ve been very stressed lately and have been doing some window shopping to calm down. I’m interested in gadgets, but a lot of things can just be replaced with apps. I realize a phone won’t replace very large appliances like refrigerators or washing machines so I’m trying to scope my question to portable devices. So what are some portable devices or gadgets that their specialization hasn’t been replaced by smart phone apps? Extra points if they’re super useful and reliable.

      • LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world
        3·
        7 days ago

        Would love to have one, but my neurologist said even slight vibrations in my mouth can fuck with my epilepsy. That means a migraine because my medicine prevents seizures. Going to the dentist is an affair that wrecks me for the whole day.

        • Kitsuko@lazysoci.al
          2·
          6 days ago

          It’s OK. My dentist thinks electric toothbrushes are too harsh on your teeth and shames anyone who even brings up the subject. So at least 1 dentist thinks it’s junk. He prefers soft bristles that you softly glide across your teeth by hand.

          • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
            3·
            6 days ago

            Soft bristles are pretty much the only thing anyone should use, regardless of whether or not it’s electric. Hard bristles are too harsh on your gums.

  • Etterra@discuss.onlineEnglish
    16·
    7 days ago

    Paper and pencil: an analog data storage medium immune to power outages, data costs, EMPs, and remote surveillance.

  • kometes@lemmy.worldEnglish
    23·
    7 days ago

    Hi-fi audio recorders with builtin microphones. As a bass player, I deeply resent phone mics and speakers.

    • icmpecho@lemmy.mlEnglish
      2·
      7 days ago

      also, a good music player is nice! not having the hassle of using a phone while driving or doing literally anything else is nice for listening to music and the like.

      • kometes@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        6 days ago

        You underestimate my ability to find and download new music to my player. It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I forget to.

  • MTK@lemmy.world
    14·
    7 days ago

    Honestly most of the non digital functions of a phone are still inferior to it’s dedicated counterparts, but I would argue that a phone is good enough for 99% of people.

    So get a pocket multitool thingy, I always carry one in my bag and it has helped me quite a few time in my life.

    • thermal_shock@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      Which multi tool? I carry a Benchmade bugout knockoff and a genuine Leatherman skeletool, ifixit Minnow screwdriver set and a generic basic screwdriver with small/large Philips and flathead in my work bag. Oh and a small adjustable wrench… Covers 95% of my work.

      • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
        4·
        6 days ago

        Yeah, the issue with multi tools is the same issue with phones; They’re mediocre at a lot of different things. A dedicated multi-bit screwdriver will almost always be better than a multitool. A solid pair of pliers will almost always be better than a multitool. Et cetera, et cetera…

        But in a pinch, a multitool is better than nothing. And a multitool is a hell of a lot easier to carry as a “just in case” thing than an entire toolbox of individual tools. As a freelancer I habitually keep a lot of tools in my trunk, but I don’t want to walk all the way out to my car just to tighten one screw. So I also keep a multitool around as a “good enough” solution.

        • thermal_shock@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          6 days ago

          My stuff is pretty basic. I’d carry something like that if I owned one already, over the years I’ve pretty much shed anything I don’t use enough on a regular basis. My whole kit is probably $80, mostly cause of the Leatherman. The bugout is a knockoff from AliExpress and I LOVE it. $15 is a steal for that style/size/design for a pocket knife.

    • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
      14·
      6 days ago

      To be clear: Hospitals use pagers because they use a longer (and much lower bandwidth) wavelength, which is affected less by things like thick fire-resistant walls. Hospitals are built like bunkers so that things like fires don’t require the entire building to be evacuated. Pagers can still reliably get signal even in the basement of a hospital, when behind multiple fire-resistant walls and solid concrete floors. Texting has effectively replaced pagers for 99% of the population. But hospitals still use them because reliability is prioritized in the medical world; No hospital wants to lose a patient because a doctor was in the basement and didn’t get a text.

      • bamboo@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        1·
        5 days ago

        There was a good episode of Planet Money which went into this. I addition to what you said, when doctors would get texts, they were more likely to dismiss the message and not respond immediately which was more dangerous.

      • MothmanDelorian@lemmy.world
        1·
        5 days ago

        Also they don’t mess with radiology and it lets doctors have a way of being contacted that doesn’t give patients their number.

  • sleepmode@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    5 days ago

    Vicegrips. Wirestrippers. A light screwdriver with common bits carried on its handle like a Sidewinder. Rake lockpick. SDR. Elevator key. Punch. File. Multimeter. Multitool with good pliers. Crank radio. Survival guide. Poncho. Silver exposure blanket. Fire starters. Multihammer thing. MREs. Good flashlight. Beater laptop like an old x200. Serial console adapter. Flares. Camping stove. Throw it all in a bugout bag after you learn how to use them.

    • duckythescientist@sh.itjust.works
      3·
      6 days ago

      I know some phones are starting to work with satellite comms, so these may be replaced by cell phones in the near future heh, maybe not. See the comment below. At least currently, I have several friends who still have wilderness beacons.

      • Syakaizin@lemm.ee
        3·
        6 days ago

        They’ll never replace PLB/EPIRBs unless they bake in 406Mhz and 121.5Mhz communication. Satellite devices aren’t reliable enough for SAR. I’d even argue that they won’t replace Satellite Communicators - battery life isn’t good enough and the connection stability isn’t good enough

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
    2·
    5 days ago
    • smartwatch
    • e-reader

    But from your description maybe you need a gadget related hobby. How about home automation? It’s not just multiple gadgets but having fun with what they can do together. You can do anything from dip your toes in to going all out