I’ve been very stressed lately and have been doing some window shopping to calm down. I’m interested in gadgets, but a lot of things can just be replaced with apps. I realize a phone won’t replace very large appliances like refrigerators or washing machines so I’m trying to scope my question to portable devices. So what are some portable devices or gadgets that their specialization hasn’t been replaced by smart phone apps? Extra points if they’re super useful and reliable.

  • Cameras. You can take pictures with your phone, but despite Apple’s advertisements, a phone camera will never produce anywhere near the same quality a dedicated digital camera with interchangeable lenses. And neither are as good as film.

  • I’m posting these separately so people can argue about specific devices.

    A calculator is still better than a phone in a lot of cases. I haven’t yet met a financial advisor who uses their phone instead of a calculator. It’s often the same issue as with keyboards: touch screens are simply vastly inferior to tactile keys. Few people are willing to carry keyboards around with them, but for those who use calculators a lot, for many it’s worth having a portable, dedicated device.

  • JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world
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    27 days ago

    I’ve been very stressed lately and have been doing some window shopping to calm down

    Not to minimize your distress but surely there are less wasteful ways of letting off steam than buying a gadget that you didn’t know you needed.

        • Mister Neon@lemmy.worldOP
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          27 days ago

          If I don’t know if something exists I won’t know if I’ll ever want it. I live without a lot of commercials and ads compared to the average American. So when I want to know if anything has come to the market that could add value or joy I do it on my own terms. When I window shop it relaxes me probably for the same reason I like hanging out in museums. I will admit anything actually worth purchasing is a rare occurrence.

            • ripcord@lemmy.world
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              27 days ago

              Fucking Lemmy.

              “Hey guys, what are some cool things out there?”

              “Let me tell you why you are living your life wrong.”

              • JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world
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                27 days ago

                Actually, I asked them to consider whether, all things considered, there might not perhaps be a better way to imagine living their life. Big difference. ;)