I even remember in 2019 finding an app that was using a popup after unlock to learn words of a foreign language, unfortunately, it closed and I cannot recall the name.
I think it could potentially be us too, though not sure. It was a very flexible product and we had a variety of use-cases. :)
We also had a lock screen app that you needed to play a tune on an instrument in order to unlock the screen. This too died because of Google maintenance burden (it had 500k downloads IIRC). Here's what I could find about that one: https://music-lock.en.softonic.com/android
That app I mentioned also had iOS version as well. I don't know how they made it, because AFAIK any customisation to unlock/lock process weren't allowed on iOS from the very beginning.
But nevertheless. It's a bit disappointing that major operating systems are becoming more closed for developers to create such beautiful apps
I'm thinking also about adding an option to have like 50% chance of a popup or a 75% chance, so it's less predictable. I first made it as every 2nd, 3d and so on, but maybe adding a randomness to it will be better? WDYT?
For my use case, randomness would make it even worse. For muscle memory, consistency is key. I don't know what the solution is - ideally, the app would not interrupt such quick actions like unlocking to take a photo or switch the song, but in practice, it can't exactly guess what I'm going to do before I do it. I was thinking about maybe "unlock and don't show the popup for the next 5 minutes", but then I already know that one of these days, I'll activate it for "one quick check of Instagram" (or HN), defeating the purpose of the application.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I've been mulling this problem (selective blocking in dual-purpose apps/sites) in my mind for a long time now, but I haven't found any solution so far.
Here's maybe a solution: don't trigger the app if the phone is unlocked via a hardware shortcut.
At least in my last 2 phones, I got them configured such that a double press on the power button wakes the camera app immediately (great for quick photos), while the rest of the system is still locked (need the unlock pin when trying to navigate away from the camera app)
So in that situation the app could choose not to interrupt.
You also can try setting nudge Cooldown. It will prevent nudge from popping up during Cooldown period. For now it's 3 minutes max, but I can easily add more options in next release.
On my phone (Pixel 5) I don't need to unlock to take a picture (double click on power button) or switch to the next song (slide menu down, click Next).
Not sure if it helps. Have not tried the app yet.
Edit: sorry, didn't see the almost identical answer
As mentioned elsewhere, I have double-click on power button bound to toggle the flashlight, as I find it way more useful day to day, plus quick launch of camera becomes redundant after you launch the app.
As for songs, I specifically mentioned picking a next song. As in, picking from a list, possibly navigating or doing a search first. Next/prev is both trivial and something I rarely use anyway.
I use Android's Bedtime mode a lot, and it has a helpful feature that let's you quickly "Pause for 30 minutes" or "Turn off for now" from a notification [1].
I don't think the app needs notifications as such, but it could have quick access to a pause button.
Ah perhaps the app is using bedtime mode for its functionality? Didn't get a chance to try it myself yet, but great that pausing is already implemented.
I have my own thought and also one in response to the "taking a photo" type tasks.
I'd like a drop down of some tasks I predefined, so I can answer with one of those.
Things like "answering a message" that I can choose instead of entering one. There is occasionally one message with 3 choices, I think, about how this aligns with my goals. So something like that but user defined.
Second thing, maybe a couple of those options could be tied to app launch so clicking it takes you to the common task. For example, "Taking a photo" could drop me right back into the camera app.
Great app, I've been using it all day and just doing so is insightful. And glad this comment chain led me to the "cooldown" function.
Can you track how long since the last unlock? I think adding a TTL of say 5 minutes to not be asked again after answering would probably eliminate the majority of annoyances.
Yes. App already has a setting call Cooldown. It allows to have time after phone lock during which the app won't pop-up again. Not sure if that's what you are suggesting, and it's max time right now is 3 minutes.
I wonder if being location based would be helpful? I'm not actually a heavy phone user, but I would guess that people are mainly using it as a distraction when they're at home or work, and less likely if they're out and about? (Though honestly, for me, the main thing I use my phone for at home / work is two-factor-authentication, and there it'd probably be annoying.)
I would have it set so you can either blacklist or whitelist wifi connections. EG if I'm at home, I might want to make it enable but otherwise let me use my phone. Or maybe have work WiFi blacklisted so it happens everywhere except when I'm at work.
BTW, it was quite complicated but I added support for flip phones as well. So the app works correctly on flip phones as well. Flip phone users might have an ultimate setup.
Interesting. How are you dealing with cases when you need a navigation like Waze or Google Maps? Navigation apps are my main obstacles for trying a "dumbphone".
My city is easy to navigate (and I've lived here my entire life) so I don't really need real-time map navigation when I'm walking the streets. I have a dedicated GPS unit in my car.
That sounds nice. In my case, I rely heavily on many "essential" apps that are available on smartphones. Maybe the approach of having another Kale phone and a "Junk" phone is a thing (https://x.com/george__mack/status/1681378342627311640). And Punkt will be a great candidate for Kale phone.
I think it will work just fine in combination with Intenty. Of course, it might be too challenging to use the device with so many obstacles. But if that helps to be more mindful about phone usage, why not?
I even remember in 2019 finding an app that was using a popup after unlock to learn words of a foreign language, unfortunately, it closed and I cannot recall the name.
I would be happy to see the notes.