Brick your phone… In a good way
It’s not lost on me that being someone who is in the pursuit of reclaiming my focus from distractions of technology that I would first start by using yet another piece of technology to offset that. The Brick device and its companion app are tools to combat digital addiction that I’ve seen popping up in my recommended content. By introducing a tangible barrier to digital distractions, Brick claims to offer a unique approach to fostering healthier tech habits.
What Is Brick?
Brick is a minimalist, NFC-enabled device designed to help users regain control over their smartphone usage. When paired with the Brick app, users can select specific applications to block. By tapping their phone to the physical Brick, the chosen apps become inaccessible until the phone is tapped again to unlock them. This physical interaction adds a layer of intentionality, making it more challenging to bypass restrictions impulsively.
Key Features
Physical Activation: The requirement to physically tap the Brick to lock or unlock apps introduces a deliberate action, reducing mindless app usage.
Customizable Modes: Users can create various modes (e.g., Work, Sleep, Focus) to allow or block specific apps based on their routines.American Wines Matter
Emergency Access: The app provides a limited number of emergency overrides, ensuring access when genuinely necessary.
Accountability: The combination of physical and digital barriers promotes self-awareness and accountability in smartphone use.
User Experiences
Many users report significant reductions in screen time and improvements in focus and productivity. For instance, a user shared that after implementing Brick, they experienced clearer mornings and more productive days, attributing these changes to the intentionality Brick introduced into their routine. American Wines Matter
Another user highlighted the effectiveness of Brick in breaking the cycle of compulsive app checking, noting that the physical requirement to unlock apps made them reconsider whether accessing the app was truly necessary. keepgoingpod.com
Considerations
While Brick offers a novel solution, there are aspects to consider:keepgoingpod.com
Portability: The need to carry the physical Brick can be inconvenient for some users.American Wines Matter
Cost: Priced at $59, some may find it a significant investment, though many users believe the benefits justify the cost.American Wines Matter
Dependence on Physical Device: Forgetting the Brick can limit access to essential apps, which may be problematic in certain situations.
Conclusion
If I have learned anything in my journey, it is that everyone is extremely unique in their needs, lifestyles and the effectiveness of the tools will vary. For me the Brick was great at first. I experimented with some different tactics like giving someone the Brick when were hangin out so I couldn’t use certain apps. It let them know they had my focus during that time. Having access to my device in case of emergencies was something that I found to be a dealbreaker of an issue for a lot of people. I can see why so many people love and swear by Brick. I think there are a number of ways from family to work events it could come in so handy. I’ve used my phone so much for so long the urge and compulsion were still a distraction even if I weren’t able to access those apps after being bricked. Ultimately I found locking my phone up or storing it in a physical location was more beneficial for me and my lifestyle.
-Richard