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The disadvantages of doomscrolling And screen addiction is well documented, but although many of us want to spend less time on a smartphone, it is easier said than done.
Much has been written about the so -called Dumbphone RevivalWhere Regain individuals Some respite from Pings and push notifications by downgrading to a basic telephone. But the reality is for most that this is not a permanent workable solution, simply because nowadays so much of society has been built around the internet -based tools and services.
So it might be more logical to find a middle ground, where we do not completely throw away our smartphones and tablets and instead find ways to tune when we do not want the constant distractions from Tiktok, YouTube, news warning and the rest.
Although it is true that iPhone and Android devices have built in a number of digital welfare tools, not to mention one set From third parties apps, these are often too easy to ignore. Techcrunch has put together some of the best hardware that physically separates people from their entire clock without cutting them completely from the outside world. After all, balance is the name of the game.
Although these devices have different approaches to tackle smartphone indirectly, they each do this from a very similar point of view: it’s all about the user who voluntarily adds friction to his digital life. And pay to do this.
Weeds
There are numerous external launchers and blocker apps that bring targeted friction to your smartphone, but Weeds Makes things physically.
The Dutch company has developed an NFC-compatible FOB, or a “tag” that acts as a “digital key” to temporarily unblock certain apps on your phone.
Related to this, Unpluq offers a mobile That works independently of the physical FOB. You can block your two most distracting apps on a pre -set schedule (for example every day during a specific period), or you can have a $ 61 annual subscription To unlock premium functions, including an unlimited number of apps to block on Android and a maximum of 49 on iOS. It also offers more detailed controls on the blocking schedule (for example, limits to certain days and times), including add-ons.
However, the real value of UNPRUQ is in the FOB, which costs $ 74 bundled with a one -year subscription, or $ 22 For the device in itself (you do need a premium subscription to use the FOB, so it has a limited value without it).
Without the FOB, users can unblock apps by bypassing what Unpluq calls ‘diversion barriers’, which means that you have to perform specific actions to gain access to a certain app. This may have to shake the phone for five seconds, tap different buttons, in addition to other promotions.
The FOB adds an extra low friction, where users have to tap the FOB on the phone to gain access to the apps they have deliberately blocked. Unpluq says that the product is based on the theory of the behavioral design that is known as rational cancellationAll of this is all about introducing deliberate interruptions in a user experience to disrupt normal behavior. This way people think about their actions.
The idea is that if you want to block Instagram, X or the warnings of the New York Times while you try to study for an exam, you can set the FOB if your Unblock method can be set and leave the FOB on the other side of the house. In theory you should make this think twice about Doomscrolling and instead concentrate on your overhaul.
It is worth noting that there are other physical devices that serve comparable purposes, such as Brick And 4.
BOOX PALMA 2
If you literally want to leave your smartphone behind or want to lock it in a box to relieve yourself of all the temptations it brings, there are other devices that can help.
BooxA brand of the Chinese company Onyx, MeshT the worlds of EPaper technology and Android to create quirky devices that tension the notebook, tablet and e-reader bulbs. It is crucial that they pack extra connectivity functions, including a full range of apps via the Google Play Store that is installed in advance.
Released last year, the BOOX PALMA 2 Is the newest member of the Booox family, and although it is mainly placed as an e-reader, it has smartphone-like dimensions that make it very suitable.
With access to a full series of Android apps, this can beat the goal of some BOOX TOUTS as a ‘diversion-free device’. However, since this is an ePaper device, the minimalist screen does not have the same attraction for consuming online content. But perhaps even more important, it also has no cellular functionality, which means that connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi-so if you only want to be able to consume offline content while you are on the road, this can work well for your purposes.
In terms of messages, it is also worth mentioning that WhatsApp users now have their messages open on multiple devices on multiple devices at the same time. This means that you can lock your smartphone and still call in your social life via the BOOX Palma 2 (albeit only about a Wi-Fi connection).
The BOOX Palma 2 is Now available for $ 279.99.
Daylight DC-1
Similar to the BOOX Palma 2, the Daylight DC-1 is an Android -based device that is mainly designed for reading and writing; It is a “diversion -free space for learning and creativity,” the company said. It also offers Google Play, which means that you have access to all usual apps, although it does not miss mobile connectivity.
Bee $ 729The DC-1 is not cheap, but this device is Everything about the quality 60 fps displayThat slippery and clarity promises-the “live paper” technology is “if e-ink, but faster,” says the company.
It is also a bit larger than the BOOX Palma 2, which could appeal to some.
So if you want a device to read, work and investigate, with the possibility to immerse the internet in the savory pleasures, then the DC-1 might be something for you.
TTFONE TITAN TT950
OK, not everyone wants to buy an expensive e-reader or tablet if they only go to places without the temptation of social media or breaking news within reach.
While basal ‘job telephones’ in the 1990s are certainly an option for those who want to keep their smartphones at a distance, they don’t have an important ingredient for most people: WhatsApp.
There are various so -called dumbphones that support WhatsApp, due to the fact that they run Android under the hood. And because WhatsApp now offers support for multiple devices, you can synchronize all your messages from your smartphone with one of these other devices.
One of the cheapest such phones is the Titan TT950of the telephone maker based in the UK and the VAE Ttfone. It costs around $ 106 or your local currency equivalent and is a fairly simple Flip telephone focused on seniors. It has no App Store to talk about, but it is supplied with a handful of apps installed in advance, including Facebook Lite, YouTube, a browser and WhatsApp.
Recording such apps is not ideal for those who want to minimize distractions, but the 2.8-inch touchscreen and the corresponding keyboard are probably just too difficult to use a lot for the right internet.
Unihertz: Jelly Star
Everyone has different compromises they want to make in their digital detoxification efforts. For some, that may mean that you have to buy a secondary smartphone that is just so damn small that it is completely impractical for taping or YouBing.
The Jelly Star From China’s Unihertz Probably fits on that bracket.
The Jelly Star turns Android 13 out of the box and as such is a full -fledged smartphone. But with a 3-inch touchscreen it is just not something that you would like to spend too much time on Doomscrolling.
For $ 220, the Jelly star is not exceptionally cheap for a secondary device. But if it means that you can disappear before the weekend and leave your pocket rocket at home, while you still have access to essential “life” apps such as WhatsApp, Spotify, Uber and Google Maps, then it can be a valuable investment for some.