!Offline-first android --- agk's diary 10 August 2022 @ 17:50 UTC --- written on ipad (ssh.sdf.org in web browser) at kitchen table with pourover coffee --- I like reading peoples' stories about how they use consumer technology in ways that lower cost, extend its life, prevent waste, and increase autonomy. I have a few castoff android phones from family I use in everyday life as little PDAs. My phone is a candybar-style dumbphone, $50 Nokia 225 4G. It suits my needs with a $3/month plan. The androids are used without cellular service or google account, on wifi with offline-first applications. They range from 2017 Samsung to new budget Alcatel, and are pretty much interchangeable. Device setup ------------ When I first power one on, I spend over an hour disabling stuff before connecting to wifi. I remove every possible app permission, delete or disable most apps, turn off all notifications, turn off GPS and bluetooth, turn off all possible device and browser telemetry. I use the default browser to download the F-Droid apk and install it. The default browser can then also be disabled. F-Droid installs and updates packages. Google Play is already disabled. First I install TrackerControl. It's a firewall to block trackers or application network access. I spend another chunk of time blocking almost every- thing with it. Then I install most of these: AntennaPod (podcasts) AnySoftKeyboard (ctrl, esc, and arrow keys) ConnectBot (ssh) DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser (www, new android only) Feeder (rss reader; new android only) Kiwix (offline wikis) Markor (markdown notes) MuPDF viewer (pdf and epub reader) Organic Maps (offline maps) Simple File Manager Pro (file browser) Syncthing (sync between devices) VLC (offline music and audiobooks; internet radio) For www on older androids, I use Tor Browser from Guardian Project repos, IceCat, or Midori. There are also ok rss readers for older androids. Use away from wifi -------------------- Weekly: * I read downloaded books via muPDF, * listen on commute to torrented language lessons, audiobooks, and music via VLC. Occasionally: * I listen to downloaded podcasts on AntennaPod, * read locally-synced news and blogs with Feeder, * check WikiEM emergency medicine handbook or Wiki- Med medical encyclopedia with Kiwix, Rarely: * browse local documents with Simple File Manager, * look up map or directions with Organic Maps, * take a note with Markor. Even online, Feeder is nicer for reading than any web browser. XML imposes "readability mode," just text and some pictures. I update and sync Antenna- Pod and Feeder on wifi before trips. Books are usually from zlib, sometimes from Standard Ebooks. Stuff I listen to's mostly torrented, or sometimes downloaded via invidious youtube frontend/yt-dl. Messaging/calls (on wifi) ------------------------- I mostly do SMS/plain phonecalls via dumbphone. I don't want email on my handheld. My friends don't use XMPP or Matrix. I don't use Signal or social media. I want to minimize personal info, maximize device transferability (Broke your phone? Here, have mine!) So I don't have much use for messaging apps. A few are useful enough to sometimes install: Linphone (sip/voip calling; I use an account at SDF and a DID to call anyone), Cheogram or Conversations (with JMP.chat service to call, recieve calls, or SMS text with anyone via SDF XMPP account) For ~$40/yr these make an old android a home phone. Away from wifi, messages queue and wait, calls go to voicemail. If you want mail on an offline-first android, K9 Mail's good. Manyverse is an app for the scuttlebutt offline-first social network. Briar's a good offline-first messenger for friends at an event. Not a general-purpose computer ------------------------------ I use a palmtop computer for email, netnews, gopher and gemini, and to chat on irc and SDF's COM. I do most online things via ssh to SDF's public access unix shell, with any laptop/palmtop/tablet as a terminal (the smaller/lighter/older/lower power the better!) In a pinch an android rotated to landscape with a USB keyboard will do, thanks to ConnectBot. I use dedicated devices for other things: wrist- watch, clock radio, camera, lantern, deck of cards, pouch of jacks shaped like pigs with ball, pocket memo pad, refillable Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, atlas of road maps, walkie-talkies, rolodex, pocket calculator or slide rule, home cooking and local shopping. We sometimes watch movies on room- mate's laptop or VHS tapes on an old CRT. We play records (also mostly castoff). I read an academic journal that comes in the mail quarterly. We walk to the creek and watch the raggly garden grow. Using secondhand androids keeps them out of trash, keeps personal data out of databases I don't want them in, untethers me from constant connectivity, and keeps my cost of living low. It feels gently transgressive to use things adversely to their manufacturer's intent!