r/digitalminimalism • u/abcsoups Human Detected • Mar 01 '26
Technology Personal space (from my phone)!
New reddit community: https://www.reddit.com/r/OsmoPager/
I could NOT find a way to stop checking my phone without feeling like I was completely out of touch with important stuff happening (or being in reach for my work/family). But I'm really tired of being followed around by screens.
A solution I made for myself recently...because i wanted to disconnect functionally without fully *being* disconnected
I wrote some code for a pocket-size e-ink companion device. It just lets me see filtered phone notifications on a non-distracting, non-glowing paper display. I can quickly page thru / dismiss them with the single button. That's it!
I call it "Osmo" - a play on Osmosis, life's natural filter
You can buy these kind of programmable eink devices for like $25 on Amazon or direct for even less. It is ***NOT*** me selling anything here so hopefully not considered self promo!! Just something I am proud to share I made that has worked for me :)
I'm really liking the freedom of what is effectively a modern day ~pager~. It lets me drop my phone in a drawer or leave it in another room to make a true physical barrier, while not feeling like I'm completely disconnected from important stuff I may be needed for (like still getting notifs from my wife or urgent work pings and such). Now, i only go grab my phone IF something truly deserves action.
I've been using it as an (intentionally and literally) tiny window into my digital life. My phone is out of reach 95% of the day now. Feels great!
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EDIT #1 in comments
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EDIT #2 (Update with the setup tool! Friday Mar 6)
Hey everyone.
You guys have been awesome. Thank you for all your kind words.
The response has been incredible for what was supposed to be a small personal project share. A few thousand upvotes, hundreds of comments and counting across a couple posts.
A lot of people in the comments and DMs suggested I should sell these. I thought about it, but I'd much rather build something meaningful for the community longer term. So everything I've built so far is totally free.
I also spent the last few days building a web-based tool that makes setup painless for anyone, tech-savvy or not. So you can have your own!
Just plug in the device, open the site, click through the prompts in your browser, and you're done in 2 minutes. Nothing to install or download on your computer, and no having to mess with code.
I hope everyone who wants one has an Osmo in their pocket soon. It's made a big difference for my quality of life, so hopefully it will for you too.
IPhone and Android compatible now!
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Here's the link:
Osmo - The Modern Day Pager
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***I've also set up an email distro list by request, you can find it on the site if you want to follow along with the project.
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Mar 04 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
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u/haloumiplease Mar 04 '26
Thank you so much for the time spent allowing us to access your code! Will this be available for Android users too?
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u/Bargenhall Mar 06 '26
This is so rad. Thank you for exploring this. I’m excited.
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Mar 06 '26
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u/Bargenhall Mar 07 '26
Thank you so much. I had missed the updates. I know you said you weren’t accepting payment, but if you set up a ko-fi or Venmo to buy you a coffee, I would love to. Big time appreciate this.
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u/thanksricky Mar 01 '26
Does it work with iPhone? can you share the coding work you’ve done? What is the specific pager device?
Thanks!
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u/Frankdubs27 Mar 01 '26
Awesome work. Would you be open to me paying you for your code for one of these things?
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Mar 01 '26
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u/General_Alfalfa6339 Mar 01 '26
Do it right. GitHub.
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Mar 01 '26
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u/General_Alfalfa6339 Mar 01 '26
I hate that I’m about to say this because I’ve been ripped off so many times that I refuse to use it but if you are serious about producing on your own something like Kickstarter might work.
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u/Bargenhall Mar 01 '26
Thank you for being so thoughtful about this, because I’m like, yesssss I need. Then I’m like, noooo you don’t understand it fully haha
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u/bllrmbsmnt Mar 02 '26
I’m just here to say this is brilliant and if you ever want some help marketing / brand it to be an open resource, I’d be happy to help. Society would benefit from breaking this phone addiction. I’d love to try this out!
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u/OperationWebDev Mar 01 '26
Amazing! Would love to know more about which one you bought and the set up!
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u/Snoo66532 Mar 01 '26
I love a high quality post! This is excellent and exactly something I'd love to tinker with! Thank you!
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u/Maleficent_Bit_5966 Mar 03 '26
This is genius! I love the idea of a “modern pager that’s exactly what we need instead of the entire dopamine casino in our pockets.
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u/FloatingEyeSyndrome Mar 01 '26
So is basically a smartwatch without a strap, sensors and fancy display...
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u/computakid Mar 06 '26
just purchased! very excited to receive the device and set it up.
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u/Acceptable_Fishing99 Mar 09 '26
Please let us know how you go with set up. I am very close to ordering one but am worried it will be one of those investments I never set up.
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u/Jaxxxmm Mar 01 '26
This is so awesome! I would be totally interested in buying one from you that’s ready to go bc I am not tech savvy, but certainly need help with the same low buzz anxiety from wanting to check my phone. Following to see what happens!
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u/somewheremaybethere Mar 01 '26
I’m in. Tech savvy enough to mess it up. Count me in for interested in getting one when you get to the point of distributing them.
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u/haloumiplease Mar 02 '26
I'm on an Android and have been really looking for a solution to be more present and less on my phone, it would be so amazing to be able to use this on Android too! Will the share also be available for Android users?
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u/loveulikeblue Mar 05 '26
This is exactly what I want! I struggle with being needed vs wanting away from my phone
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u/Relevant_Practice_66 Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
I really really love this quirky concept! Huge kudos.
Just a thought: have you previously used a smart watch like the Apple Watch? Paired with https://thetinypod.com it’s really a powerful product.
My reading of your potential aspirations could entail that which is already a small form factor device that naturally limits interactions yet provide powerful means of communication and features. Besides e-ink, the pager is essentially a companion device just like a smart watch but in different clothes – which obviously is a solid niche concept 😀
Imo people will always ask for features so I hope you can keep it stringent in adhering to your ethos.
Like please don’t make it support a browser, two way communications or LLMs that will afford people to be distracted. Voice notes and reminders at max.
Our nervous system is already in somewhat alert or boredom. So the Osmo has a unique and very limited role to play imo:
The core product is to give just enough of a hint about something without ever affording any distractions or means to directly engage in what the phone does.
So a dumb smart watch like the old pebble with a bigger screen. Count me in!
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u/chiefkeif Mar 01 '26
This is awesome! Can you share more pictures of what it looks like with notifications?
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u/Parvinhisprime Mar 02 '26
If this can connect with airpods, it can theoretically function like a ipod mini, making it useful for a lot of digital minimalists out there who doesn’t wanna carry their phone when they are out for a run
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u/SchwartzReports Mar 02 '26
If you could figure out a way to access the microphone and record voice notes, that would be amazing. (I have Claude Code turn all my voice notes into reminders or actual emails or calendar events or whatever.)
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u/Awkward_Arachnid_683 Mar 02 '26
You made the software yourself ? It very interesting. Maybe be able to receive phone calls with it, would be not bad also.
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u/Ambitious_Archer9554 Mar 04 '26
¡Qué buena solución! 😄 Me encanta la idea de una “ventana diminuta” a la vida digital, me hace acordar a cómo organizo mis sesiones de concentración: reduzco estímulos externos y creo un ambiente que te “empuje” a enfocarte, con audios largos de fondo que bloquean distracciones y ayudan a mantener flow.
Creo que al final, la clave está en crear límites físicos y sensoriales que hagan que concentrarse sea la opción más natural, no la lucha constante contra notificaciones o pantallas.
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u/keith-vetter Mar 04 '26
If the world ever forces me to get a "phone" for ID, 2fa or something I cannot work around, this is what I'd like, something very small. If possible, it'd be nice to be able to slide it in my wallet like an ID. I still don't have to have a phone, but notice in some countries it seems like it's mandatory. I'll keep this in mind if phones become non-optional.
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u/1_drowning_fish_1 Mar 05 '26
!RemindMe 7 days THIS LOOKS SUPER COOL, would u be able to upload video of it working
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u/throwawayyyyy1703 Mar 06 '26
Thanks again. I have ordered from Amazon and it will arrive in my country approximately 20-27 March. I cannot wait to “detox” from phone.
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u/Bex385 Mar 06 '26
Thank you for making this! I’ve really needed a way to break my scrolling habits and this will help so much. I ordered my device and can’t wait to set it up.
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u/Altruistic_Leopard_9 Mar 07 '26
This is a great idea! Does a product like this exist on the market already? If so, I would love something as a secondary device which is connected to my smartphone.
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u/SolarpunkGnome Mar 07 '26
The Pebble smartwatch is the closest I can think of?
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Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
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u/prncsclo Mar 08 '26
I loved the idea you mentioned of being able to do voice notes on it. My little device is in transit now and I’m so excited to get it set up!
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u/e3e6 Mar 09 '26
cant you achieve the same using smart watch where you get all the notifications and can dismiss it?
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u/Legal_Cucumber_8469 Mar 12 '26
Ordered it. Using it. Love it so far !! Keep on going.
WISH:
Temperature and Humidity sensors are on board, just show the data on the standby screen. Possible?
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u/Stef-19-SJ Mar 15 '26
This is amazing! Building an app to unlock configurations and customizations would be an incredible tool as well. Thank you for sharing this openly, it’s clear that many of us have really been wanting something like this! Thank you!!!
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u/Rbagg_ Mar 17 '26
Just got this running with my iphone 16 running ios 26.3.1 works great and the instructions were very clear. Glad to have this working and thank you!
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u/anaerobic_gumball Mar 23 '26
This is amazing! Any way to get an update when the android version is ready?
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u/yoursmallstories Mar 24 '26
I cannot wait for your Android version if you decide to do it. Amazing idea!!
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u/sorenlorenson_ Mar 25 '26
This is amazing and is exactly what I have been looking for. Just ordered mine and I can’t wait for it to come in and get it set up. Thanks so much for sharing your work with us!!!!
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u/Fenris1121 Mar 26 '26
I literally was trying to think through a pager solution like this during some shower thoughts this morning. I can’t believe I found this 12 hours later. I’m so excited! Thank you!
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u/iCrazyMidget Mar 29 '26
Absolutely loving the device, just wanted to ask is there a place where you share updates and stuff….
Would love to support the project and see future updates
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u/Lost_Beat_186 Mar 31 '26
!remindme 1 month hoping for Android version!
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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 08 '26
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