How do you take calls without a phone is like asking how do you get drunk without alcohol. You dont... the answer is obvious.
Discussion
I use Google voice .. all the incoming calls ring my tablets and laptops ...
this has advantage over using carriers provided numbers because GV calls are global .. I don't need to buy new Sims when I am say in India or Europe ..
As a rule , I don't take calls when driving .. no matter who is calling . World can wait 30 minutes for my response cuz I am not that important a person anyways .. if someone needs emergency help, say a family member , they should rather call 911 cuz I am anyways most useless resource in emergencies:-)
Why bother with all that trouble instead of carrying a smartphone? Why make your tablet or laptop act as a phone?
Because smartphones ( and their notifications) are the worst thing you can do to your focus .. they don't offer any advantage over tablet but since they fit in your hands , you tend to carry them everywhere.. even in your bed .. and toilet. With a tablet ( particularly a big one like s7 FE ) you are forced to make a conscious decision if or not you wanna indulge in technology.. tech is NOT bad ..excess of tech is bad just like alcohol or sugar ..
Another benefit with tabs is I do use Samsung pen a lot ..for sketches and notes etc .. if I have phone in my pocket , I noticed I never picked up tablet .. on phones I end up taking voice notes .. which are harder to capture and harder to review .. a sketch on the other hand grows as you revisit them ..
Plus , I save 20 dollars a month.. it's not much but if you add up over years and invest , it's a lot .. I saved almost 2000 dollars in last four years ..invested them in btc , they are worth 10 k now ..
It's kinda no brainer ..smart phones are essentially tracking devices ..even Apple tracks location ..not that I have any issues with tracking personally, but such technologies..when applied to masses , always end up in bad outcomes ..
Plus smartphones are way less durable then tabs .. my last tab samsung s4 is still working great .. while my kids have changed three phones in the same duration.. I switched over s7 FE LTE cuz Samsung shipped it free to me ..
BTW..you can test it yourself ..
Give up smartphone and use only tablet for two days .. see how much you get done ..be it writing or coding ..whatever is your field of work
Then next two days keep a phone in your pocket and see your productivity..
Iterate it couple of times in different situations ..
You will know ..
Saying this cuz I don't want anyone to take my word for it.. verify Not trust :-)