This App Encourages Users to Disconnect by Planting Digital Trees
Katherine Pendrill — August 9, 2016 — Tech
References: itunes.apple & forestapp.cc
'Forest' is a productivity app that encourages users to disconnect by planting digital trees. Although the app is designed as a game, the ultimate goal is to help users spend less time on their phones and more time in the real world.
Forest works by asking users to plant digital trees each time they want to disconnect. The trees will then continue to grow, provided the user does not pick up their phone again. If the user navigates away from the app and begins using their phone before half an hour is up, the tree will die. Over time, users can gauge their progress by seeing how many trees have grown in their virtual forest.
Although Forest is largely marketed as a productivity app, the application is also useful for consumers who want to challenge themselves to spend less time on their smartphone and more time fostering real-world connections.
Forest works by asking users to plant digital trees each time they want to disconnect. The trees will then continue to grow, provided the user does not pick up their phone again. If the user navigates away from the app and begins using their phone before half an hour is up, the tree will die. Over time, users can gauge their progress by seeing how many trees have grown in their virtual forest.
Although Forest is largely marketed as a productivity app, the application is also useful for consumers who want to challenge themselves to spend less time on their smartphone and more time fostering real-world connections.
Trend Themes
1. Digital Detox Apps - Opportunity for app developers to create gamified solutions that help users reduce phone usage and promote real-world connections.
2. Gamification in Productivity Apps - Incorporating game mechanics and rewards into productivity apps to motivate users to be more focused and less distracted.
3. Tracking Progress with Virtual Environments - Using virtual environments, such as a virtual forest, to visually represent and track users' progress in achieving their goals.
Industry Implications
1. App Development - Developing innovative digital detox apps and gamified productivity solutions for users seeking to reduce phone usage.
2. Wellness and Self-care - Integrating digital detox apps into wellness and self-care industries to help individuals prioritize mental health and find balance in their digital lives.
3. Education and Training - Integrating gamified productivity apps into educational and training programs to improve focus and productivity among students and professionals.
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