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bminusl | 4 years ago

I would like to use a pager-like device as a grocery shopping list. But a pager isn't quite what I'm looking for (I think).

Basically, I need a small device that can fit in a pocket, with a long battery life, a simple display, and a few buttons. Bonus points if it's cheap and easily hackable.

What are the options?

discuss

order

dkersten|4 years ago

If you don’t mind a bit of work, you could look into one of the DIY smart watches on hackaday or whatever. Since you don’t need a watch form factor, that should give you a little extra room in terms of size or components. I found them a little too bulky as a watch for my taste, but they might work as a pager-like device.

swiley|4 years ago

This sounds exactly like an older palm pilot.

They used ram for persistent storage because the battery life was so long (due to a very slow dragon ball CPU and those dot-matrix displays.)

The palm III was probably one of the best hand-held computers ever made, if there were a way to put a modern modem in it to get texts I would probably use that instead of my phone.

madengr|4 years ago

I actually had a pager add-on PCB in my Palm Pilot. Worked great.

dudul|4 years ago

How about a small notepad made of paper? What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it?

bminusl|4 years ago

> What would be the benefit of a "pager-like device" over it?

- Adding items remotely

- Automatic item sorting

- Pre-made lists

dm319|4 years ago

I would love for a modern low-power LCD/e-ink palmtop, but sadly I haven't seen the likes of it since the old Psions.

stevewillows|4 years ago

this is my dream! I used to use a Pebble watch for grocery lists, but the display is just too small for a larger list.

It would be fantastic to have something that is basically a half-sized palm pilot (say, 4" tall, 2" wide), eink/memory lcd, and the ability to rotate (not automatically.) There's probably a digital price tag that could work for the screen.

When I was using my Pebbles more often, it was great to be out and never check my phone for anything. Back in the day we could have set responses -- but as the years go on, we lose some functionality. The Rebble project will probably fix this one day.

reaperducer|4 years ago

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but have you considered going back to paper?

After unending frustration with Siri and grocery lists, I just went back to paper. It works brilliantly. The "shared list" is my wife texting me things to add to the list, and I immediately take the piece of paper out of my wallet and write stuff on it.

I've been using phones, computers, PDA's, and electronic organizers for grocery lists for decades, and none have worked as well, or been as useful as a piece of folded paper.

fencepost|4 years ago

The return of the "Hipster PDA" (speaking as one who did this for a few years).

I believe see also "bullet journal."

caturopath|4 years ago

May I ask why you don't want to use a phone? You don't want to carry/look at it for the other stuff that a phone has?

bminusl|4 years ago

Phones are generally too bulky for my liking. I prefer to have something simple and light. And I care way less if it's stolen or lost.

mattowen_uk|4 years ago

Find an old palm pilot on eBay with a refurbished battery. Instant digital notebook for the cost of a few dollars/pounds.

fencepost|4 years ago

Might as well go for one of the even older models that ran on 2xAAA. Not like you're losing compatibility with modern hardware.

spaceisballer|4 years ago

I like the idea of the Lightphone 2. E ink display and minimal functionality. Plus it’s small and has a long battery life.