So many people apparently want to scale back their technology use that entrepreneurs see an opening for more technology.
More and more people are relying on their phones. In a recent Bank of America survey of 1,000 adults, more than three-quarters slept with or next to their mobile phones. More respondents reached for their phone first thing in the morning (35 percent) than coffee (17 percent), their toothbrush (13 percent) or even their significant other (10 percent).
Plus, nearly 40 percent said they check their phone “constantly” during the day.
That’s all well and good for some. But others want a way to limit their use. To that end, here are six new technologies billing themselves as a way to help people regain control.
Ringly: This app is wearable. You buy a $195 ring, which connects to a smartphone filter that allows you to receive only the notifications most important to you. That means it could silence Facebook updates but still allow texts from your son or daughter to come through, causing the ring on your finger to light up or vibrate. Ringly offers rings made of tourmalated quartz, emerald, rainbow moonstone, pink sapphire and black onyx.
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Kovert: This company also sells jewelry that alerts you of only the most important messages from your phone. In addition to rings, you can order necklaces and bracelets. “We create products that help you better manage your digital life, so that you can be more present during face to face interactions, and focus on what really matters in life,” the company says.
Offtime: This service lets you filter communications from your smartphone and restrict access to apps you find distracting. It will also measure your phone and app activity, giving you an independent assessment of what you’re doing on your phone, when you’re doing it and for how long.
Moment: The app tracks how much you use your iPhone and iPad each day and then allows you to publicize the data, so you can compete with your friends to see who can limit their screen time the most. You can also set screen-time limits and be notified when you go over.
Light Phone: Billed as ‘your phone away from phone,” this credit card-sized phone allows calls but not much else — no Twitter, Facebook, texts or games. It works with your smart phone (which you leave at home) to forward calls and is “designed to be used as little as possible,” states the website.
NoPhone: It’s exactly what it says it is — not a phone. The object looks like a phone, but it’s just a piece of plastic — a kind of safety blanket for people who don’t want to stare at their phones as much but still want something to hold. “Enjoy always having the ability to clutch a rectangle of smooth, cold plastic without forgoing any potential engagement with your direct environment,” states its website. The NoPhone costs $12 — or $45 for a family plan of five NoPhones.
