https://modretro.com/products/chromatic-transparent

60 WPM on the Minimal Phone 2. I’m getting faster every day.

The latest version of our keyboard feels so much better.

My first experience with the operating system known as Linux

…was in 2005. At that time, my interest in consumer tech had brought me to the parts of the internet where the mavericks dwelt (mind you this was WAY before the advent of generative AI doing all the “heavy lifting”).

>One of these trailblazers had figured out how to reprogram an iPod to run a custom operating system, known as RockBox, that expanded the device’s multimedia playback functionality…and could also play Doom.

Source: github.com/Rockbox

Plus, he left behind bread crumbs! In the years that followed, “jailbreaking” Apple devices to take full advantage of the hardware would become common, but this was long before that and trial and error was the name of the game. Those bread crumbs were very, very appreciated by us who wanted to recreate the procedure ourselves.

When I finally got Doom running on my own iPod my mind was blown. I mean, this being possible in the first place was amazing (I’m not being hyperbolic, I was genuinely amazed), but actually succeeding in recreating the process firsthand is hard to describe. I eventually even leveraged this whole endeavor into a scholarship, but that is perhaps a story for a different day.

I cannot overstate how gratifying this was and, looking back, it was one of those deeply meaningful experiences that drove my interest in digital exploration to new levels.

Source: instructables.com

Now, I’ve told you that story to tell you this one. A crucial prerequisite was NOT using a Windows-based computer for the reprogramming, which, you guessed it, was all I had access to at the time. Only a Mac or Linux-based device could properly communicate with the iPod for some reason (I am an enthusiast, not an expert).

>What was a teen to do? As it turns out a computer is quickly turned into a Linux machine by plugging in an easily configured flash drive (or in my case a burned CD) without permanently changing a single thing on the computer. Mind=blown.

Very likely the distro I used back in 2005; Source: phoronix.com

So why am I writing about all of this in 2026?

While I have tried out a few versions of Linux, known as distributions or “distros,” over the years none of them really grabbed me. Don’t get me wrong, they were impressive and fun in their own ways but none was ever enough to get me to switch permanently from Windows.

That changed when the fire nation Microsoft discontinued Windows 10 support in October of 2025.

Source: support.microsoft.com

This cut-off left folks like me with few options:

1. Upgrade to the bloated and doesn’t-even-pretend-to-respect-your-privacy Windows 11.
2. Be ineligible for the upgrade and either dump your still working machine, or jump through a pile of hoops to get temporary, yes temporary, extended security updates.
3. See the light, rip the band-aid, and keep your beloved machine alive with Linux.

I chose option 3, here’s why.

Let’s talk about the numerous reasons Linux = Awesome

Source: u/ReturningRetro

I’m not here to tell you that MacOS and Windows are bad operating systems. In fact there are certain tasks for which I still prefer Windows. However, the reason I’ve moved to Linux is based on the user experience as a whole. Of the too-many-to-list benefits of Linux, for me it mainly comes down to customization and performance, with the cherry on top being cost (spoiler alert: Linux is almost always free).

Do you like the Windows-style start menu and task bar, or is the MacOS design preferred? Both styles available on every Linux distro I have ever used, and you don’t have to choose one or the other. Linux lets you change the entire desktop environment any time you wish.

Source: zorin.com

Linux distros also tend to avoid preinstalled “bloatware” (extra, unnecessary, and often privacy-destroying programs). The proliferation of these apps is something that has driven me further up the wall with every Windows iteration since the glory days of XP.

So. much. BLOAT.

Even a fresh installation of Windows includes a bundle of unnecessary applications installed automatically (as seen in the screenshot below) that serve to advertise or harvest your data. Lovely, right?

Source: howtogeek.com

Linux’s streamlined approach to software creates a smooth and snappy experience on even old computer hardware. Plus, the source code itself is open source and available for anyone to review. The very laptop I type this on was purchased from a thrift shop for $35, wiped, and loaded with Linux to fantastic effect. I prefer it to my $1,800 Windows-based work computer for almost everything.

Linux mascot “Tux” and logos of several popular distros: Debian, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Ubuntu, & Zorin.

I think you should give Linux a try. I am almost certain you will like it.

Linux has come a long way since 2005, and these customization and performance benefits are really just the tip of the iceberg of what makes Linux great. I will let you discover the rest for yourself. So much of the fun is in the “finding out!”

>Is Linux for everyone? Probably not, but I wish I would have made the switch sooner, and if you’ve made it this far into the write-up I think it is for you. The operating system has become phenomenal in the decades since I used the family computer to program Doom onto my iPod.

It doesn’t matter if you are a gamer, keyboard warrior, AI agent pro, or don’t want to login to an online account at all, there is a distro just itching for you to find it.

Give Linux a try and come back to let me know how it goes. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. 😎

Author’s Note: AI was NOT used in any part of the creation of this article.

Hi all

Thought I would add my review to the sub. I have been using my Sidephone for one week.

For some context,I live on the east coast of Canada and I have been a heavy Android smartphone user since they came around. This is my first foray into the world of alternative tech. I am an elder Millenial so I have used dumbphones/T9 texting and such,but not in 15+ years.

My intent with the Sidephone was not to completely remove my smartphone from the equation. I am currently using my smartphone for a small handful of things,and I am comfortable with that. It lives turned off in my bag when not being used. In the future I may find myself removing it entirely and that would be great, but for now I use it with no sim card on wifi when available to do banking,and use it totally offline for Strava/music while running and in the car with maps if needed.(All of those work well enough for my needs in offline modes)

My intent was to reduce phone usage/screen time/ constant connection and to degoogle.

I have the founder's edition (#705). It took two weeks to arrive in Canada (I am rural) and I did not have to pay any customs.

So far,I'm really enjoying this phone. I absolutely adore the size and the form factor. It feels great in the hand. A number of people around me have been asking me all about it,and why I got it which means I get to hop up on my soapbox of the importance of reclaiming attention and intentional technology use lol. You can see the gears turning when people realize they dont *have* to buy an IPhone or Samsung S whatever.

Setting up the phone and getting it the way I wanted took me basically a whole weekend,lol. It's not the plug and play experience most of us are now accustomed to - but in a weird way I kind of like that. Friction is the point (for me).

I'm only using the qwerty keyboard,I've not even touched any of the others yet and I have not had any issues with it not working correctly. It is quite odd feeling to text on it,but I can feel myself getting used to it and faster as time goes on. I do wish like many folks that the keyboard was backlit,but for the odd time I am texting in the dark (or need to text silently) I flip to the onscreen keyboard. It's tiny of course but I have small hands and works in a pinch. The keys are not any noisier than the flip dumbphone my coworker has.

Group messages are working for me? I shut off RCS before swapping my SIM,and at first all the group messages were coming in individually as MMS. Once I downloaded them,they then appeared in the group thread. However,when I switched to Fossify Messages from the default messaging app,then they started arriving normally? Weird but ok with me. I am assuming once I hit 30 days of no RCS and am booted out,my group thread will need to be recreated with me in it.

Battery life has been fine for my needs. I end the day with ~70% battery life,and that is mostly just texting and maybe a short call or two. I pretty much always have a charger/power bank available to me so I can't see it ever being an issue.

I have intentionally kept my app list small. In addition to the default apps,I've added weather,proton mail,sidetype and sidespot,notally,whatsapp,localsend,opencamera,fdroid,organic maps,fossify calendar,messages and firefox browser. All are working fine for me. I even logged into my online bank on the browser just to see and it works normally (although the screen is tiny so its not fun to use lol)

I tested using Hotspot with the Sidephone and it did work,though I didn't actually use it for any length of time so not sure how much it drains the battery or anything.

My only two issues so far: the screen swiping and the 4g connectivity. I do notice unlocking or swiping on the screen is inconsistent. It gets better if you swipe from the center of the screen and also press down with your finger more,but it doesn't resolve it entirely. You can unlock with the power button,but for swiping to open the app list it's slightly annoying at times.

The 4g/connectivity problem is not a sidephone "issue" per se. Where I am located specifically,cell phone coverage is not great and so I have had a phone call or two where it was dropping out/bad service. However this was a problem with my last smartphone until I switched carriers so not really specific to the phone itself,although I think if it was 5G compatible that would resolve the issue. Just something to think about if you also live somewhere with poor cellular coverage/infrastructure. I don't talk on the phone a ton and I am willing to try different carriers if needed but that remains to be seen.

Oh - one other thing to note. The magnet it comes with is not very strong....but the adhesive is!! Wherever you put that thing,that's where it's staying forever 😅

Some things I'd personally like to see:

Backlit Keyboard

5G capabilities ?

Sensors: proximity and also something for step counting.

A more robust case (I am notoriously hard on my tech, I am trying hard to be so so careful with it)

In summary: Very happy with it! When I'm at work or out and about,I find myself reaching for my phone......and then realizing I can't really do much with it and putting it back down - which is exactly what I wanted. I'm glad I pulled the trigger and excited to see where Sidephone is able to take this.

Happy to answer any questions if you've got them.

About a month ago I posted here about picking up my first ever G-Shock. Well, I couldn't resist and added (the so far excellent) GW-M5610U to my small collection of low-cost Casio watches. I don't know what it is, but something about this GW-5610 is more comfortable to wear than my DW-5600. Maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me to justify this twice-the-cost-of-my-last-G-Shock acquisition. 😂

I am still super new to G-Shock (and honestly watches that cost over $20 in general) but for anyone wondering why I picked up this one after just barely getting the DW-5600, I really like that this one has both solar charging and radio/automatic timekeeping.

Anyway, I thought you all might enjoy the report!

We just dropped a bunch of Communicator news, and I wanted to share it with the community in one place. 

This blog post goes into detail on everything we just announced.

From there you can link out to a bunch of the blog posts, videos and resources supporting today’s updates.

Definitely check that out for the full story, but here’s a quick preview:

• 12 GB of RAM is standard in every Communicator
• Final battery spec is 4,350 liOn with 800+ charge cycles
• Two new accessories from dbrand: MNML Case and Prism screen protector
• Clicks Care adds accidental damage protection and extended warranty 🇨🇦🇺🇸
• Clicks Mobile makes it easy to add an eSIM with voice and data (optional ofc) 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Starting today, you can configure your Communicator and complete your order.
And shipments are expected to begin in December. 

We published a new video going into all this in more detail and sharing some new demos of the touch sensitive keyboard, setting up the Signal Light,  Prompt Key, Kill Switch, and a preview of some of the Message Hub features we’re building with Niagara.

You can watch that here:

Clicks Communicator: upgraded specs, new demos, accessories and more…

Announcement posts: Pineapple Kid DX, Fall From Space.
Power Core: here.

They just keep coming. 😎

Reported on by multiple outlets, it would appear that Acer is reviving the Packard Bell brand with a number of "lifestyle products" including a 4G phone.
No word on whether it will come to North America, but from a post on Acer's website (https://news.acer.com/acer-relaunches-packard-bell-with-full-new-lifestyle-collection-to-tech-it-easy) it will be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa from €69.

Reported on by multiple outlets, including The Verge, it would appear that Acer is reviving the Packard Bell brand with a number of lifestyle products, including a 4G phone!

I received this update having subscribed to Enough's mailing list (first pic is dummy prototype comparison to iPhone 17e):

"Hey there!

Thank you for your patience while we have been working with our factory to get closer to finalizing The Enough Phone specs.

We are sharing this update a bit later than anticipated because we wanted to share images of our first dummy sample alongside the target specs. We’ve received the prototype and are excited to share! Finalizing our specifications and refining the dummy prototype are big steps on the way to this device coming to life.

Current Hardware Specifications:

Performance

MediaTek Dimensity 7500

8GB RAM

128GB Storage

Display & Dimensions

5.3", 1520x720 HD LCD Display

132.8x63.8x12mm

Camera System

Sony IMX766 50MP rear camera

32MP front-facing camera

Rear camera designed to sit flush with the back of the phone

Battery

User-replacable battery

Target capacity between 3,500-4,000mAh (final spec TBD)

Operating System (You can choose)

Android 17

OdysseyOS by SLEKE.

Security

Fingerprint reader integrated into the power button

Face Unlock

Connectivity & Storage

5G Connectivity

eSIM support

One combined physical SIM/MicroSD support for expandable storage

Global cellular bands

NFC (no wireless charging)

USB-C

Design & Materials

Recycled polycarbonate back plate

Half back plate that is removable with a tool

Still Being Finalized

A few items are still undergoing testing and validation:

Waterproofing and durability ratings

Final battery capacity and optimization

Additional performance and battery-life testing

With a smaller phone, we have to be very intentional with what goes into the device. We listened to all the feedback and believe we’ve arrived at a great balance to deliver a premium, small smartphone.

We still need your help!

We are still building a list of motivated buyers to make this crowdfund a success. We need 20,000 people on board to make this happen. Thanks to your support we are already at 4,500 people - almost a quarter of the way there!

If you want a small, premium Android phone to exist, tell your friends to sign up at enoughphone.com. This only gets built if we do it together!

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

The Team @ Enough"

I picked this up from a local retailer last night for $64 (it's the DW5600E-1V). To me it strikes a good balance of classic/retro Casio with just enough "yeah, it's a G-Shock!" (not sure if that makes sense to anyone but myself). 😂

As this is literally my first G-Shock (though I do own a handful of other Casio models), is there any good advice or recommendations I'd do well to know about?

Rayman 2

Earthworm Jim

My first video game console was the original Nintendo Entertainment System (and was my second video game system ever after the Sega Game Gear). My mom found it at a yard sale with controllers and a bunch of games one summer in the 90s. My brothers and I couldn't believe our luck.

So to say the '8-Bit Gamer' is an excellent addition to my small collection of watches is probably an understatement. 😎