We are irremediably hooked on the mobile and has been created an entire industry that intends to “cure”. Manufacturers began to implement functions such as Time of usethere is boring mobiles to use them less and many Tricks to lower that screen time. Several apps have emerged that bet on a new method. One that uses NFC labels.
The difference. The objective of these apps is to limit the daily time we spend using the mobile. They allow you to choose the apps that distract us most as Instagram and establish that we can only use them during, for example, half an hour a day. So far it works exactly like the functions that already integrate many manufacturers. The difference is that we can only unlock the apps if we bring the mobile to a physical object.
A physical barrier. Time of use in iOS or digital well -being on Android are fine, but if you jump the warning that you have spent a lot of time on Instagram, you can ignore it with a simple tap. The idea of these apps is that, forcing you to bring your mobile closer to an object, a more difficult physical barrier is created. If you carry the tag on top you can do it easily, but if for example you leave it at home when you leave, the thing is complicated and forces you to make a more rational use of the screen time.
Apps. There are several apps that bet on the block blocking through a physical object. These are:
- Brick: It is the most popular app. The ‘Brick’ (in Spanish: brick) is how they have baptized their NFC label, which you can only buy on its website or from the app itself, and has a much larger design than that of a normal NFC label. It costs 61.95 euros, not precisely cheap. The app is free and is available both in iOS as in Android.
- UNPLUQ: It also has its own NFC label that is bought on its website or from the app. This time it is smaller and can be hung, for example, the keys. The other difference is that its price is 69.95 euros, but it is also the annual subscription. When you finish the period you will have to pay again. Can be downloaded in iOS and in Android.
- Scrolly: The main differences that instead of a more boring design, the label is a funny doll they have called Scrolly. You can also buy in The web or from the app and its price is 49 euros without subscription. The app is only available in iOS.
- LOCKED: The best option if you want to try this method without spending just. Has created a amateur developer And it is from open source. Although with a slightly less worked interface, in essence the operation of the app is the same. And the best: it is completely free. You will only have to buy an NFC label, which costs much less. For example this pack carries 50 labels and costs 8.41 euros.
Friction. It has surely happened to you. You take the mobile to consult something and, without knowing very well how or why, you end up on Instagram, Tiktok or other devouring attention app. We have the employer memorized perfectly and we repeat it again and again. The idea of these apps and other methods, such as empty the home screenIt is to create friction, that it is difficult for us to find the Instagram icon to stop being automatic and become something intentional, which we have thought and decided to do.
Images | Scrolly, Brick
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