Hank Green's Focus Friend is Google Play's app of the year | TechCrunch

"Launched in August, the productivity tool lets you block yourself from distracting phone apps while encouraging you with the aid of a virtual friend - a little cartoon bean that likes to knit socks and scarves, which can later be exchanged for décor for the little bean's room. The premise behind the app is that users might be encouraged to manage their screen time better if they know their actions would impact others,"

"The app was a hit at launch, reaching No. 1 on Apple's App Store after rapidly climbing the charts. On Android, Focus Friend has north of 1 million installs, according to its Play Store listing. Google calls Focus Friend a helpful and cute app and an effective tool for helping users disconnect. In a year that again saw AI assistants and tools climb the app store charts over and over again, it's interesting to see a timer that helps you disconnect from your tech"

"On Google Play, for instance, the top apps currently include both of OpenAI's consumer-facing tools: ChatGPT (at No. 1), and video app Sora. Other top apps focus on social media, entertainment or shopping, like TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, Temu and GoWish. Clearly, consumers are rewarding apps that engage and addict, not those that encourage you to log off. Google also announced several other app winners across categories like games, watches, XR headsets and more."

Focus Friend is a productivity app that blocks distracting phone apps while motivating users through a virtual cartoon bean that knits and earns decor. The app uses social-impact mechanics, making users feel their actions affect the little bean to encourage reduced screen time. Focus Friend launched in August, reached No. 1 on Apple's App Store, and has over one million Android installs. Google selected it as Google Play's app of the year, praising its helpfulness and cuteness as an effective disconnection tool amid a market dominated by AI assistants and engagement-driven apps. Several other app and game winners were also announced.

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