We came out of 2019 with some sobering statistics about our use of mobile technology. According to Statista, the number of people worldwide using smartphones has gone from 2.5 billion in 2016 to 3.2 billion in 2019, with a projected increase to 3.5 billion in 2020.
Better access to technology isn’t an issue--it’s fantastic news--but consider these numbers next: 204 billion apps were downloaded last year, and we spent an average of 3.7 hours per day on our mobile devices.
There are plenty of reasons why we constantly check our phones and build up screen time, but for now, let’s talk about why you (if you’re an Android user) should try this one simple way to counteract the impulse to check your phone 60 times a day.
Sentien Launcher
A launcher is an Android app that replaces the home screen on your phone and gives you a variety of features, depending on which launcher you use.
1. It helps you focus
Most launchers are aimed toward giving you features to customize your device. Sentien Launcher is designed to help you focus on one thing at a time so you can use your phone when you need it instead of checking it for notifications every ten minutes.
When you open Sentien Launcher, the first thing you see is a clean interface and a search bar at the bottom of your screen. If you want to check your email, just type in the app you’re looking for, or switch to voice commands and say it. The launcher learns which apps you search for the most often, and your search results will change over time to be even more efficient.
Without a cluttered home screen to divert your attention every time you close an app, you'll be less overwhelmed and more able to stay focused.
2. It’s completely customizable
Of course, Sentien Launcher still gives you a lot of customization. You can set favorites, tag apps to organize them, use your favorite wallpaper, choose apps to hide or uninstall, and choose whether you want notifications to appear. You can even turn off auto-rotate.
You can also choose which search engine you want to use, and type your keywords directly into the launcher's search bar.
3. It’s better for your wellbeing
We don’t want to clash with technology, we want to use it to help us achieve our goals, whatever they might be. At Sentien, we work to create tools to help us interact better with tech in order to improve efficiency, connectivity, and digital wellbeing.
We took this launcher on as a weekend project to really experiment with what’s possible, and see what happens. Thanks to the amazing Kiss Launcher, we had a great starting point to build on.
Using a minimalist app like Sentien Launcher can break the cycle and slowly help you past your phone fixation. Give it a try for a few days and see if you notice any difference.
Take back your time with Sentien Launcher, now available as a free download from the Google Play Store.
Sentien Launcher is currently available in Beta. We’d love to hear what you think of it! Is it helpful for reducing screen time? Is there a feature you want to see added? Send us a DM on Twitter or Facebook, or email us at devs@sentienhq.com.
Interested in more solutions for reducing screen time and improving digital wellbeing? Check out Sentien Audio, the world's first open-ear bone conduction headset designed to be worn all day. Stay connected to both the online and the offline world.
