A physical device called Halo from ScreenZen pairs with an app to block distracting apps based on physical location and a schedule. The device is small and has a magnetized back, allowing placement on surfaces like a fridge, desk, or bedside table. Setup enables blocking selected apps in specific areas, such as blocking distracting apps in a home office during work hours or blocking email in a bedroom to prevent late-night or early-morning checking. The device aims to create friction that limits mindless scrolling while still allowing access when the device is not in the intended location. This approach addresses challenges of reducing screen time at home.
"The Halo is a new physical device that pairs with the ScreenZen app to block out distracting apps on a schedule. Because it has a magnetized back, you can put the Halo, which is only a few inches across, anywhere in your home: on your fridge, on your desk, on your bedside table, etc."
"The Halo works by creating a location-based app-blocking fortress. You can set your Halo up to block whatever apps you want in your home office only, for example, if you struggle with focus during the workday. Or you could block your email in your bedroom if you are guilty of checking your work email late at night or first thing in the morning."
"I spend too much time on my phone. Sometimes it's for legit reasons, like work, but other times I'm mindlessly scrolling social media way more than I'd like to. I'd be lying if I said that I loved my current relationship with my phone, which is why I'm always interested in trying new ways to cut back on my screen time without getting rid of my social media altogether."
"Last year, for example, I tried the Brick, a physical device that blocks any apps you need based on a schedule format or by tapping the Brick to your phone. I've since cut way back on my mindless scrolling, but I found that the Brick is more effective when I am outside of the house rather than inside of it. After all, if I want to use my phone when I'm at home I can just tap the Brick and get back on social media."
Read at Apartment Therapy
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