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fraktalisman
3y

Trying to configure a smartphone which was already optimized for elderly users, with a more simplistic launcher, larger font size etc.

But the underlying Android 7 and its apps still keep showing up with their inconsistent UI and nagging messages and suggestions.

Is it even possible to configure any Android device to make it really simplistic and distraction free like, say, a classic NOKIA before the age of smartphones?

Culprit no. 1 Google and Android system. Suggestions about features keep recurring, even after stating that we are not interested in the feature.

Culprit no. 2 WhatsApp, unfortunately still the most popular messaging app in Germany, so this crappy bullshit software by Mark Fuckerberg's company has to be installed. Even to me as a tech savy developer, WhatsApp has a confusing user interface that tries to promote features like status (their versions of stories) without any option to hide / turn off.

How shall an 80 year old senior learn to use the app when they previously only used SMS and voice calls? I don't know.

rant

whatsapp

ui

elderly

senior

ux

android
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Comments
  • 1
    3y
    Who wouldn't want to take a picture daily into a collection with an undisclosed audience and duration?

    I passionately hate the trend of suggesting social actions without telling the user exactly who will see them.
  • 0
    3y
    Usage instruction: just make sure your phone is powered on and the ringing sound is not disabled.

    Then just wait for incoming calls or messages and ignore any other notifications XD
  • 0
    3y
    I like doro's launcher and the uncluttered home screen. But of course, once you tap on an icon, you start your journey into the rabbit hole anyway.
  • 1
    3y
    It's not the age, it's the mindset. My grandparents are literally better at using smartphones/tablets than my parents. Because they actually try instead of bitching whenever the first attempt goes wrong.

    Android isn't good, but it's usable. Remove the unnecessary bloated shit if possible and set a larger font size and it's probably fine.

    Never, ever set WhatsApp or other messenger as default SMS app. Many people expect (for good reason) consistent behaviour within the same UI/app. And then you can explain to them twice a week why they can't send a photo album using SMS. (Fuck you, Signal, for enabling this confusing shit by default)
  • 0
    3y
    @deadlyRants after managing to install Singal (via APK, as it refused to download via Google PlayStore?!) I see what you mean. Activate Signal via SMS, WTF, and I thought WhatsApp was confusing. 🤯
  • 1
    3y
    1. It's open source, you can do whatever you want with it.
    2. No one tells you to use WhatsApp. Or if someone tells, don't listen.
  • 1
    3y
    @electrineer I had been refusing to join WhatsApp for many years, which has brought a lot of discussions, conflict and missed information, while the discussion failed to convince anybody not to use WhatsApp.

    For some arcane reason, Germany has been like "you heff to heff wotts epp, I want to zend you a mess age".

    I haven't stopped to tell people what's bad about WhatsApp and Facebook, but I have become quite pragmatic and people can reach me by SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Threema, Signal, Discord, Slack, E-Mail, Teams, whatever ...
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