What are the Brick and Unpluq Tag?

The Brick and Unpluq Tag are devices designed to help users limit their smartphone app usage by physically locking them out of selected applications.

How do devices like the Brick and Unpluq Tag work?

These gadgets prevent users from accessing chosen apps. For instance, the Brick uses a magnetic lock, and the Unpluq Tag uses NFC technology, requiring a physical interaction with the device to regain app access.

Are there alternatives to physical phone-blocking devices?

While the Brick and Unpluq Tag offer a physical solution, software-based options like Opal and built-in OS settings such as Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (Apple) also exist to manage app usage.

Home / Technology / Pay Phone to Unplug: New Gadgets Fight Digital Addiction

Pay Phone to Unplug: New Gadgets Fight Digital Addiction

9 Mar

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Summary

Brick and Unpluq Tag are devices designed to limit phone app usage.
Users pay for gadgets that physically lock them out of chosen apps.
These tools aim to combat digital addiction by creating friction.

Pay Phone to Unplug: New Gadgets Fight Digital Addiction

Innovative gadgets like the Brick and Unpluq Tag are emerging as potential solutions for digital overload, offering a physical barrier to excessive smartphone use. The Brick, priced at $59, uses a magnetic lock to restrict access to chosen apps until a user taps their phone to the device. Similarly, the Unpluq Tag, a keychain accessory, functions via NFC technology to enforce app limitations.

These devices are designed for individuals struggling with app addiction, aiming to provide a more robust solution than software-based screen time managers. Early testing suggests these gadgets can indeed reduce temptation, though some users report experiencing 'withdrawal' symptoms. The Unpluq Tag offers more customization, including blocking specific websites and various unlock methods with adjustable difficulty levels.

While the effectiveness of these products is debated, with some questioning the necessity of 'outsourcing temperance,' their popularity highlights a growing societal concern. Users are actively seeking ways to disconnect from the pervasive pull of digital technology, which is often intentionally designed to be time-consuming.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.