Posted on 29th July 2025

Using the Mudita Kompakt as my on-person device

An experiment in digtal minimalism.

It's been a while since I published something on my blog. Despite being busy, lately I've noticed my time spent in idle digital consumption (scrolling) had also been on the increase. Coincidentally my smart phone was showing signs of aging such as; poor battery life, random restarts and no further OS updates.

In the end I discovered the rather interesting 'minimalist' phone market had some compelling options. I settled on the Mudita Kompakt.

tbd

This isn't a review of the phone and its features, but a summary of the relationship between my decision to attempt some form of digital minimalism and using this device.

Let's start with my broad goals. I hoped to:

  1. Reduce screen time
  2. More intentional use of technology (where I am actively involved and the tech is passively assisting me)
  3. Reduce distractions
  4. Do more offline and / or asynchronously
  5. Use the most appropriate form of technology for a task (stop using a phone for everything - use the best tool available for the job)

In general the Mudita Kompakt helps to fulfill these goals. It is a tool for the journey towards digital minimalism.

Firstly, I noticed by using a limited device just how often I reach for my phone. Initially it really felt like something is missing, but it also made me realise how little I actually need it. It reinforced my inclination that most of us are to some extent addicted to smart phones.

The nice thing is using a minimalist phone helps you curb those smart phone urges, like an aid to quit smoking. Slowly but surely I have reduced my digital consumption.

The biggest difference it has made to my usage of technology is making it a more concious thing. The pause created by not being able to easily do certain things make you evaluate whether you really need to and consider when, where and how it might be more appropriate to do so if you do need to.

I still use my old smart phone or a laptop occasionally. But only for specific activities at consciously chosen times. This works well as long as you limit your physical access to these devices by putting them away and out of sight.

tbd
The Kompakt is unassuming especially with its minimal e-ink lock-screen. I found keeping the phone in the pouch that it comes with is a good way to avoid getting sucked into using the phone, when you only meant to check the time. I bought a cheap watch to tell the time instead.

Very few of us can go fully offline for long periods of time, myself included. But I like that Mudita have considered this too, with a simple toggle switch to enable an offline mode. I haven't used it much as I'm deliberately limiting the number of apps I install that have online capabilities, but I can see myself using it more often as I gradually explore adding more apps over time.

As far as my overall impression of the Mudita Kompakt goes I feel it is a good product. The fact you can still load apps with some effort means you can still take advantage of tech at your own descretion. I really like the integrated approach of hardware, operating system and software designed together.

It seems Mudita are also on a journey. My device bought in early July with OS K version 1.1.1 felt like the very beginning: the minimum viable product that often eludes us in the tech industry. A big update came a few weeks later with 1.2.0 which brought significant improvements and new features, such as turn-by-turn navigation in the initially rather basic 'Maps' app. This feature handily works completely offline.

The core apps I am now using that I've found are important, in rough order of importance, are:

I would like to see the introduction of apps for tickets and payment, and a way of uploading / syncing notes and files. A native data / file manager similar to the Mudita Center desktop app (which allows you to manage and transfer files via USB) might be a good approach. The device needs some sort of wireless data transfer and backup whether via WiFi, bluetooth or mobile network. And whether or not this involves proprietary or third party cloud storage, it is one important omission that I feel needs resolving in a manner that is sensitive to the minimalist philosophy.

The continued development of the Kompakt and its software will determine what people make of it and what it ultimately evolves into. I feel Mudita are on the right track with the balance of functionality to make them a compelling option in this growing market. Gradual introduction of more isolated 'offline-first' features with well thought out, optional and specific online capabilities is what I'm hoping for, rather than any drastic change in direction. On a personal level I hope to continue to benefit from my choice to primarily use a minimalist device. In a few short weeks it has already opened my eyes:

Generally I think my experiment in digital minimalism has been a success: It has made me a bit calmer, more able to concentrate and more thoughtful about what I am doing. It has encouraged me to interact physically more and to be more mindful of digital excess. In short it has left me wanting less, more.