the minimalist tech experiment
Recently, I went one year doing such an experiment: owning only one item of technology.
An iPad mini.
After a previous no-phone experiment, I concluded two things.
One: I didn’t particularly staring at my phone.
I always felt really creeped out essentially being on-call to anyone who wants to talk to you at the exact second they want to talk to you.
And, Two: that I could do everything on a pad that I could do on a phone, without a contract or a bill.
Because I'm against bills.
How can you survive with only one device?
Use wifi.
And get a global data sim card so you can access cellular data when you don't have wifi access.
You can call and text via Talkatone, FaceTime, Facebook, Skype and lots more apps will give you a phone number you can use for texting, calling, voicemail, and even two factor authentication.
Then, it was just me and my iPad.
It came everywhere with me. I dropped it, carried it in pouring rain, wind, snow, hail, took it to mountains, rivers, and oceans, all dangerous places.
But it was fearless, and it mostly survived them all.
And, I figured out that it really can completely sustain a person.
Or, more specifically - very minimalist me.
Here's how.
functions I use my ipad for
- calls
- texts
- iMessages
- emails
- Skype
- Facetime
- internet browser
- address book
- alarm clock
- calendar
- maps
- written note taker
- spoken note taker
- reminders
- weather forecaster
- camera
- photo editor
- photo storage
- social media manager
- spreadsheet management
- document scanner
- document creater
- document storage
- document sharing
- software manager
- food finder
- bar finder
- hotel finder
- airfare finder
- activity finder
- tour finder
- rental car finder
- ride finder
- date finder
- language translator
- budget manager
- banking manager
- calculator
- tip percentage calculator
- currency converter
- tv watcher
- movie watcher
- book reader
- magazine reader
- music listener
- podcast listener
- game player
- video player
- website creator
- art creator
It's so easy and simple to have only one thing.
You don't feel overwhelmed by multiple devices.
Or multiple cables and connectors.
Or syncing multiple things.
Or the burden of owning lots of expensive, fragile things.
It forces you to be aware of the apps you collect.
It's pretty much a minimalist's dream and you can travel ultra-light.
The most unexpected benefit of not having a phone was actually not having a phone.
Not being one of those people that gets their devices out all the time to endlessly check things online.
Without the temptation, you can be more present.
Overall, it was not as hard as I thought, it was actually easy and fun, and I loved not being glued to a phone.
try the experiment
- Get a tablet!
- Get these travel apps and food apps for to make your life easier.
- Get a contract-free SIM card. Check out knowroaming, iroam, keepgo, onesim.
