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Your Phone, Minus the Distractions
- bearjaws 2y agoSurprised you can get that level of control in iOS. I wanted to build an app to turn on tethering automatically and you can't even change settings at all using Swift and the SDK. I use an OnePlus 9 during my work day that only has Slack, email and other basic tools to get my job done. Once im done for the day I pick up my original phone. Only thing that sucks is SMS / Phone calls do not transfer.
- hnthr_w_y 2y agoso what's the point of the hardware other than the upsell?
- subroutine 2y agoApparently you cannot "unbrick" your apps until you return to this physical brick device. But yeah, you might be able to accomplish the same thing with a printed QR code.
- thenoblesunfish 2y agoTheir sell is that you can leave the physical key and thus be unable to "umbrick" until you return to it. Interesting idea - sort of like the "leave your phone out of reach when in bed" advice I and many others follow. Maybe the physicality of it makes it a little easier to turn off the noise. (Of course, you could always just delete your accounts on Twitter, FB, IG, etc. That pretty much worked for me to make my phone sufficiently utilitarian)
- alexey-salmin 2y agoA friend of mine uses a strategy of giving the unblocking code to his girlfriend, so he's uncomfortable asking her to allow twitter 20 times a day. A physical device you have to walk to sounds like an alternative for people with no girlfriends.
- thenoblesunfish 2y agoOr a way to avoid turning your girlfriend into your mom.
- jaredwy 2y agoI think it is also a great way to disrupt some automatic habits that people fall into. I know with my ADHD I have tried to use app blockers and they all fail because the urge to procrastinate is so great that I found my self by passing them through various means just on autopilot. For me and my ADHD, having a physical process required would be enough to activate my brain and gain control and bring it back into focus. I am very tempted to try it.
- k310 2y agoMy very old phone started getting very weird, so I got a new one. Transferred zero apps, so I download just what I need. I never used Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok or Snapchat. Nor Uber, headspace or Audible. It’s the Henry David Thoreau of phones. I “own” apps dating back to 2010, and one of the first, Trunk Notes, works fine. I like wikis.
- lifeisjoy 2y agoAny idea how they managed to implement this in iOS? Normally I thought the iOS API didn’t give you access to stuff like this. I did see on one of their notion docs they mentioned blocking safari with an iOS shortcut so I wonder if that’s maybe how it’s being accomplished under the hood
- jamil7 2y agoI think apps like Opal use a combination of screen time APIs and abusing Shortcuts, might be something similar.
- _cenw 2y agoThe Screen Time API extends a little beyond what you get with built-in Screen Time, like the ability to hide apps. It's still a bit funny that this product bashes Screen Time for being too easy to bypass when you could also just set a pin that you then write down and cycle once you remember it too well. I do this to enable the passcode change lock and account lock to prevent full compromise in case someone shouldersurfs my PIN and steals my phone (been known to happen).
- lukebuehler 2y agoScreen time passcode is what I do too. The rule I set for myself is that my partner ist the only one allowed to lock it and unlock it. (Technically, you can always remove the passcode with the Apple password, but I don to that).
- jaredwy 2y agoScreentime password for me is too automatic. Something like the brick may be enough to break out of automatic mode and into thinking about it at which point i may have a chance to stop my self. ADHD is a fun beast to tame.
- jtokoph 2y agoI would guess that it’s using MDM/configuration profiles
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- owisd 2y agoIf you've got a Mac to hand, Apple provides a free tool "Apple Configurator" that can be used as a more powerful but less slick version of this.
- santiagobasulto 2y agoI’m wondering what are the security mechanisms for this. What happens if your dog chews on the brick while the phone is blocked? Is there a “manual entry code” option in the app?
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- BossingAround 2y agoI would think (and hope) that uninstalling the app "unbricks" all other apps.
- kapitanjakc 2y agoIf a person does not have the will power to put their phone on silent/put it away. Even after buying this, they won't have that will power to not get it un bricked continuously. Great device for kids though. Put the brick in unreachable place and you're golden. It's a gimmick, but good gimmick.
- gnicholas 2y agoI feel like this isn't needed for kids, since you can just use the parental controls. The omnipresent password (that adults have for themselves) isn't applicable for kids.
- alexey-salmin 2y agoI think physical location of the brick makes a hell of a difference.
- orionsbelt 2y agoIt’s like saying you can’t smoke in your apartment, you have to smoke outside. Sure, you are probably still addicted and will go outside way too much to smoke, but that’s also probably a great incremental tool to work on getting rid of your addiction.
- gherkinnn 2y agoNot at all. The brick acts as a commitment device. You don't need willpower when the brick is at home and you are not. Or mail the brick to yourself.
- _nalply 2y agoWhatsApp already has statuses and it will get more "distractions". If things like "Brick" will be successful, ad companies like Meta will work around them by distractifying essential apps. It's better to think about what we did twenty or thirty years ago. Ad companies of course prefer their "product" not to think about this. It's quite simple (but difficult to execute): just don't pick up your phone this often. Understand that ad companies are actively fighting you because they want you as a "product" sheep consuming ads. Some tools, tricks and stratagems are helpful: - Configure notifications not to vibrate or make a sound - Airplane mode for some time-out, for example when hiking - Leave the phone home and learn to embrace the helplessness - Learn not to think too much about it and live in the now - If you return home, don't open your phone immediately but do something else - Leave the phone in a different room when sleeping - Understand if you say you cannot that these are psychological tricks by ad companies - Understand that it is an addiction and accept if you binge - Don't try to find perfect solutions - Everybody is different, so try to find your own tricks, tools and stratagems, but stick to simple things - Adapt when something changes like unwanted features added to an app - Generally smile, relax, understand, let it go and enjoy life
- fvdessen 2y agoI put my phone in airplane mode last weekend and friends thought I died & called the cops. Said I should have notified them before I did this …
- _nalply 2y ago> - Generally smile, relax, understand, let it go and enjoy life
- camhart 2y agoMy phone is on do not disturb 24/7. I do miss some calls occasionally, but in general its been a big improvement. Been doing it for the past 8+ years. The phone is there for me, I'm not there for the phone.
- kioleanu 2y ago
- SunlightEdge 2y agoThe budget option is just to go to settings and select "digital wellbeing and parental controls". You can set timers to block your apps after X amount of time. I've found it useful to block chrome on my phone after 30 minutes of activity. You can of course 'hack' this setup by just switching off the setting or rewarding yourself another 10 minutes etc. but then you can do this with anything...
- ggrelet 2y agoMy understanding is that you cannot with this device
- whoitwas 2y agoOn Android you can customize notification settings with the OS including for limited durations. I didn't dig much into the marketing, but what's the gain here?
- indrex 2y agoOr just use a cellular watch like Apple Watch Ultra instead of carrying a phone with you all the time.
- gnicholas 2y agoI really hope Apple comes out with an AW that has more battery life in lieu of all the outdoorsy/sports features of the AWU. I see lots of wealthy desk warriors wearing them, partly for the better battery life and partly for the status (of having the most expensive AW). I know some people who use some of the sports-related features, but most people I've talked to would prefer more battery than all the ruggedness. I know I certainly would. Get me to a week of battery life and I'm sold.
- gnicholas 2y agoDoes this have applications for kids/students? I could see a school using these sort of like how they use those pouches (but it doesn't require the pouches). I guess parents don't need it because the whole point of this app/device — the fact that the user has an always-available password — isn't true for children, whose parents have the password. Still, I'm curious what others think of the possibilities for kids.
- _f9cu 2y agoI switched to button phone. big display, bigger distraction
- Brajeshwar 2y agoWell, between Notifications (mostly) OFF[1] and Always-DND Phone[2], it should solve most phone issues. Your only struggle will be to be able to follow this new nirvana. 1. https://brajeshwar.com/2014/missing-step-productivity-activities-stop-notifications/ https://brajeshwar.com/2014/missing-step-productivity-activi... 2. https://phone.wtf https://phone.wtf
- jonplackett 2y agoIs this the way most people would want it to work? My partner has the opposite need - they want to be able to use the phone out and about but get stuck doom scrolling at home and need all the screen time things on in the evening
- mellosouls 2y agoiPhone only at the moment to save others clicking. I like the clever gimmick of the separate physical component, but existing blockers already allow switching via charger connect, I doubt it's more robust than those. And if you're on the move it's just an additional thing to carry. Nice idea in the home or office though. So, a UX/design win maybe. Lots of cheap software only alternatives though that should be good enough for most.
- herbst 2y agoI use multiple things to make my phone (which I need to for working and banking) way less distracting: - I don't have a phone number in my phone. Just internet, so no distracting calls only messages - I heavily use Nothing Phones options to categorize notifications. Which is brilliant and should be part of android stock. - Possibly relevant notifications are shown on my Garmin watch. So in 95% or all cases my phone rings I know I don't have to look at it now Not having any social media definitely helps as well
- ricardobeat 2y agoWhat most people consider distractions are social media apps. Even with notifications disabled you’ll pick up the phone “just to see what’s new”. If you already have the willpower to completely avoid social media, you are not the target audience :)
- herbst 2y agoIt's more about the self conditioning IMO. For me it was the flashing LED that made me question if something interesting might have happened somewhere. By removing triggers I could adapt back to a more healthy relationship with my smartphone. You can use social media and still don't get that hype / rush or FOMO.
- anonzzzies 2y agoI use my phone to run my company and write software. I hardly use my laptop; I get people who are addicted/obsessed with social media want something else. I don’t have that and I want a full functional phone. Dex is the best thing, with the worst marketing.
- portaouflop 2y agoOr - and I know this is a wild suggestion - uninstall and delete all social media apps. You might think you need them to stay in touch with some people but you don’t
- agile-gift0262 2y agoDoes anybody use the social part of the social media apps anymore? In my circles, nobody was using any social media to stay in touch with anybody anymore. They were just using them to consume the media posted by people they didn't know. That made it easy for me to delete all my social media accounts, as those platforms were no longer tools to stay in touch with anyone.
- ivanjermakov 2y agoI only use Instagram to see funny cat reels my wife sends me.
- pxmpxm 2y agoBut people want those? This product exist for a very special niche - to be able to physically broadcast your performative victimhood/lack of agency without inconveniencing yourself with the actual, non-performative solution.
- sodality2 2y agoI do have to wonder who this would be “broadcast to”. You leave the brick at home. No one would know you use it
- jbverschoor 2y agoOr just enable Assistive Access https://support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access-iphone/about-assistive-access-iphb86e84e2b/ios https://support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access-iphone/abou...
- albert_e 2y agois there something similar to this on Android?
- notrealyme123 2y agoShout-out for minimalist phone app for android. https://www.minimalistphone.com/ https://www.minimalistphone.com/ I am using this app since nearly 3 years and I am not missing the colourfull clown-puke-esc like app logos one second.
- encom 2y agoWhat are people doing on their phones all day? My sister (who's 40 this year) has her nose in her phone all the time, even at family events. I live right by a bicycle path and can see people driving by with one hand on the handle bar, the other holding a phone. Same for people at work during breaks. I'm genuinely asking.
- undebuggable 2y agoLast 10 years of social media by trial and error crystallized perfectly addictive media form turning humans into dopamine addicted zombies. The form is a 30 seconds long vertical video with action and vivid music. It works and it's not a only trap for "dumb people". You open to check or learn "something useful" and one hour later you wake up scrolling the infinite feed.
- nunez 2y agoBased off what I see when I ride/walk: Loads of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Messages/WhatsApp. Games. Sports apps. It's basically a TV in your pocket.
- bozey07 2y ago$50 seems a bit steep for a 3D-printed RFID tag.
- ggrelet 2y agoIt includes the non-subscription app usage.
- lrvick 2y agoJust ditch your smartphone. Not carried one in three years and I am so much more focused and happy.
- wruza 2y agoI want to add another perspective here. The app design and distractions can be viewed as an absolutely bad thing, but tbh life may be not that great for some (and that’s also by design, don’t tell me everyone’s going to be .1%). What is actually bad is ads. If you turn off ads, then “distraction” may be seen just as “you made it as a biological entity, you have decent food, home, internet with no ads and lots of time”. I’m neither poor, lone, sad, nor successful, popular or happy by local standards, so I think there’s no personal bias in evaluating this lifestyle. Life is really slow and boring, everything takes hours and unwanted interaction or lots of money, and the internet and apps are nice replacement. You just have to reflect on what you consume and manage your feeds, groups and interests. Same applies to life, so it’s not that different. But for some reason life often gets highlighted as something natural (go get it) and the internet as something making you a sheep. Well, depending on where you live, streets and places can also try to turn you into cattle. Managing your internet life is doable. Don’t hesitate to dislike good content you don’t want. Clean/clear your history when stuck, or redo accounts. Don’t use only a couple of platforms, always research. Take breaks from platforms, not from the internet. So my list is: - remove ads by any means - don’t tolerate ads - manage your feeds - reflect on your state through hours, days and weeks of activity - learn basic eyes-shoulders-torso gymnastics and use these regularly That’s probably it. You may think it’s a bad advice, but it is not an advice. It’s important to learn about yourself and accept what you are, not what some stereotype tells you should be. If you are a lifer, go with it and skip this.
- basilium 2y agoI did something similar on my Iphone using custom Focus modes and shortcuts for automation. It allows you to block different apps and notifications from them, even change your lock and home screen layouts and background. You could also trigger shortcuts by an airtag but I don't have one. So sounds like a very similar product here?
- ggrelet 2y agoUnblocking in your case it’s really easy and I would do it all the time. In this product, if I understand correctly, you leave the brick at home and can only be distracted outside of work hours (for instance)
- moi2388 2y agoOr, you know, take some responsibility and don’t even have these apps on your phone. If you need them go to a pc and browse them there. I can assure you you’re not missing out even if you check only once a week
- jayski 2y agoI switched to a unihertz jelly phone. I configured the screen to display in grayscale. It can do everything I need, but it's uncomfortable to use. The screen is tiny, it's a pain to type, etc. But if I really need to reply to an email it's entirely possible. Which is exactly what I wanted.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- nunez 2y agoThis could be a great device for those struggling to limit time spent on hyper distracting apps. However, this is pretty concerning: "What happens if I lose my Brick? - We know that accidents happen (you might lose your Brick or forget to leave an important app unblocked before leaving the house), so you get a handful of Emergency Unbricks that will automatically unblock everything. Once these are gone, the only way to unbrick without the device will be deleting the app - meaning all of your data (customized settings and usage history) will be permanently deleted. Note, though, that if Strict Mode is enabled you will not be able to delete the app when Bricked. We'd love to hear your thoughts / suggestions on what would be a good solution for lost Bricks and Emergency Unbricking - drop a comment in our feedback forum." I hope they find a less invasive way of unbricking without removing the device's effectiveness.
- clircle 2y agoWhen i go to work i put my phone in a locker.
- personjerry 2y agoI mean it feels like 2-factor authentication where both factors are one and the same. If someone had the willpower to ignore distractions already, they would do so with or without gadgets like this one. And ultimately if they crave those distractions again they're just going to stop using this tool after those 15 minutes or whatever time. Similar tools have existed for a long time, and while sure there's an opportunity to capture a small market in the same way diet pills sell to a few people, it's nothing novel or even effective at solving the real problem. This is just yet another gimmick that tries to tackle the symptoms of the underlying issue that we actually like the distractions and need those dopamine hits.
- hteza 2y agoWouldn't this app be the same minus the hardware? [https://one-sec.app/ https://one-sec.app/] seems like they actually did a research paper out of it. [10.1073/pnas.2213114120]
- yellow_postit 2y agoOne Sec requires Shortcuts to be configured per-app and is made not to block access but everytime on launch introduce some friction.