Pocket computer that isn't a phone?
May 26, 2024 1:32 PM Subscribe
Are there many (any?) modern devices in the iPod Touch form factor (about 2.5 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches) with a camera and a web browser that aren't also phones?
Honestly, I might be interested in similar devices (camera only, GPS navigation only, actual phones, non-camera micro-tablet) that are about that form factor or smaller. Even the compact cameras that I'm finding seem to be more than an inch thick, and the recent iPhone Minis are somewhat larger too. I'm really looking for the kind of thing that can disappear into a pocket.
For background, I have an old 1st-gen iPod Touch that won't last forever, and I'm kind of looking around for something that I might replace it with. It was a useful companion device to a feature phone, in that it let me take pictures, play games, and do some web stuff (maps, email) while on wifi. I'm curious whether there is anything still in that same niche, now that most folks are carrying smartphones anyway.
Honestly, I might be interested in similar devices (camera only, GPS navigation only, actual phones, non-camera micro-tablet) that are about that form factor or smaller. Even the compact cameras that I'm finding seem to be more than an inch thick, and the recent iPhone Minis are somewhat larger too. I'm really looking for the kind of thing that can disappear into a pocket.
For background, I have an old 1st-gen iPod Touch that won't last forever, and I'm kind of looking around for something that I might replace it with. It was a useful companion device to a feature phone, in that it let me take pictures, play games, and do some web stuff (maps, email) while on wifi. I'm curious whether there is anything still in that same niche, now that most folks are carrying smartphones anyway.
Best answer: No camera on these (and I suspect they'll have other annoying limitations versus an actual phone), but Sony still has a line of Walkmen that actually run full Android.
posted by kickingtheground at 1:54 PM on May 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by kickingtheground at 1:54 PM on May 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
An old iPhone with no cell plan may be your best bet if you like your iPod touch.
posted by creiszhanson at 2:40 PM on May 26, 2024 [6 favorites]
posted by creiszhanson at 2:40 PM on May 26, 2024 [6 favorites]
you could look for a/an (un)used ipod touch of the final generation. : ) Wiki indicates the final iteration was discontinued in May 2022, so that's still pretty new. But may be larger than your 1st gen, not sure.
posted by bitterkitten at 7:16 PM on May 26, 2024
posted by bitterkitten at 7:16 PM on May 26, 2024
Any old phone with WiFi will possibly meet your needs. I use a (now ancient) Samsung Galaxy S3 as a dedicated music player in one room. The S3 is much smaller than today's behemoths. I'm also going to repurpose a Blu Vivo 5 mini for something else; it's even smaller but it's speed might be to slow for some
posted by TimHare at 9:07 PM on May 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by TimHare at 9:07 PM on May 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Can you tell what you mean by "no phone" but at the same time "web browser"? Do you mean you only want internet when on wifi? Can you say what you are trying to achieve/avoid as I have done a few rounds of this myself. For me I wanted something tiny, that could do everything but was so tiny I wouldn't be bothered casually doomscrollibg. For me that's been a Unihertz Atom, I often just tuck it into the hip of my underwear walking round the house. Fully functional android phone with crappy camera but enough to prove you met Keanu Reaves or there was already a dent on the rental car, but not so good you are observing a concert through it.
posted by Iteki at 4:10 AM on May 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 4:10 AM on May 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
OP, I've kinda been down this route.
As a treat to myself last year, I bought a $500 MP3 player that got great reviews on Reddit.
However, the battery life sucks on it. The screen kills my eyes. It's clunky to handle and it's slow. My theory is that because the "dedicated device for consumers" niche is so small - the company just did not have the economies of scale to use a really good processor or battery.
In hindsight, I should have just bought a smartphone and used it without a SIM.
posted by jacobean at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
As a treat to myself last year, I bought a $500 MP3 player that got great reviews on Reddit.
However, the battery life sucks on it. The screen kills my eyes. It's clunky to handle and it's slow. My theory is that because the "dedicated device for consumers" niche is so small - the company just did not have the economies of scale to use a really good processor or battery.
In hindsight, I should have just bought a smartphone and used it without a SIM.
posted by jacobean at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
Response by poster:
That Unihertz Atom (or their Jelly line) is super tempting, though. Like you say, it looks like it might be inconvenient enough to discourage thoughtless usage, while still being technically functional for occasional needs. Plus the tiny size gives it a high "novelty" factor, which is a bonus for me personally.
I marked a few best answers for the devices that I hadn't heard of, but I would welcome more suggestions!
posted by Lirp at 3:30 PM on May 27, 2024
Do you mean you only want internet when on wifi?Yes, exactly. Generally, I'm looking for an "optional" device that does some things that I want to do sometimes, without being integrated into my phone, which I carry around all the time.
That Unihertz Atom (or their Jelly line) is super tempting, though. Like you say, it looks like it might be inconvenient enough to discourage thoughtless usage, while still being technically functional for occasional needs. Plus the tiny size gives it a high "novelty" factor, which is a bonus for me personally.
I marked a few best answers for the devices that I hadn't heard of, but I would welcome more suggestions!
posted by Lirp at 3:30 PM on May 27, 2024
You could buy an old iPhone and just not put a SIM card in it, and delete/hide on an off-screen the native apps that deal with contacts and calls. Especially if you have apps/workflows that you’re familiar with in iOS, that could help smooth the transition.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 6:00 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 6:00 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
Buy phone. Do not get a phone plan. Done.
posted by zippy at 9:33 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by zippy at 9:33 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
Just to rah-rah a little more for Unihertz, I bought it new five years ago for 250 dollars, I’ve accidentally droppped it 5 stories into concrete, which in fairness did put a hairline fracture in the screen but no worse than that. The battery goes (went anyhow) for days because of low usage and no giant screen, and if your fingies are big the voice control works great, as does swipe keyboard. Still has a 3.5 jack (as well of course as BT) and the rfid is great for tap to pay when travelling superlight. Fits comfortably in cleavage.
posted by Iteki at 10:41 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by Iteki at 10:41 PM on May 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by BungaDunga at 1:40 PM on May 26, 2024 [1 favorite]