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Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

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Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#81

Post by ferrous69 »

anteloper wrote: post #13
lvkv wrote: post #8

How does Clearspace differentiate itself from One Sec, which has existed in this space for almost two years (if not longer)? I’m particularly interested in: - Is Clearspace cheaper over time? - Does Clearspace work on websites as well as apps? - Does Clearspace require manual Shortcuts setup like One Sec does? - Are there features here that I don’t know I want?

great question. a few ways 1. no, we're more expensive (at least last I checked they were 3.99/mon we're 6.99/mon or 44.99/yr) 2. yes we just rolled out website support this week. 3. no manual shortcut setup. just one click to add an app you want to moderate. (for websites you can go to an app you've added and just type in which web domains should apply to that app.) 4. yes, probably! we can pull you out of app sessi…

> no manual shortcut setup. just one click to add an app you want to moderate

Is that true? When I click an app I'd like to moderate I see yellow text saying "Finish Setup!" Then I'm brought to the recorded video explaining how to do the shortcut setup.

One click set up would be sweet, but I'd be somewhat surprised to hear apple lets you do the whole shortcut setup for the user.

Would also be nice if the interrupt after your chosen amount of time were more intrusive, like apple's screentime notification is. And if you could make us do the breathing exercise again at that point.

Regardless, think the app is very cool. I've been using a flip phone for a while to break phone addiction, which has been great overall. But I still keep my iphone around for things like traveling and a night out where I may need to use uber, and this seems like a great middle ground.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#82

Post by lukko »

anteloper wrote: post #37
lukko wrote: post #33

Really cool! I did try One Sec, but actually setting up the shortcut to divert is quite tedious, and it only works at the point of opening the restricted app. I like the UI, just wondering if the 'Breathe' prompt will get old quite quickly. I created an app ( https://www.lungy.app ) that tries to make each breathing session feel very different, hopefully making it feel fresh each time - I wonder if more variation wou…

This is INCREDIBLY cool. And yes - the breathe screen definitely does get old, but fortunately the friction continues to do its job. Would you be interested in collabing?

Yep, definitely. I think it'd be a good fit - email hello [at] lungy [dot] app

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#83

Post by anteloper »

akshithg wrote: post #39

I’ve been using onesec[1] for a year now it’s been working great for me. Additionally works great on the browser I use. Onesec uses the shortcut/automation on iOS to intercept app open and not the screen time api you mentioned. So it does take a little time for the initial setup, that’s the only friction I remember from a long time. Just putting it out there. I do like the additional social feature here. Would give i…

they've executed brilliantly, glad to see it's working well for you. along with the one-tap setup and social accountability features you point out, other noticeable differences between their solution and our are

- we can pull you out of an app at the end of the time you intended to use it for

- we support restricting websites

- we let you accumulate your progress over time via a streak, which is quite motivating (at least for me personally)

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#85

Post by ryanisnan »

This looks great! The only thing I'd really advocate for is not pricing the app ridiculously. I tried Opal for a while, but their pricing model per month is a bit ridiculous. Effectively a subscription service for what should be a single-purchase app demonstrates developer greed.

Edit: I'm a bit disappointed to see monthly fees here. Can you help justify to me why an app like this demands ongoing cost?

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#86

Post by anteloper »

TechBro8615 wrote: post #84

I love the concept. Have you guys considered selling dumb phones? If done right I think you could make them a cool status item, or build a brand around the general idea of reverting to less addictive tech.

we had a fun idea around a one month challenge - sendmeyourphone.com.

basically you sign up, we mail you a dumb phone with instructions for putting your smartphone sim card in, and you mail us back your smart phone. after 30 days we send it back with some swag saying you did it and some instructions for restarting your digital life with good habits post-detox.

would love to get around to it, but channeling steve jobs for now - "focus means saying no to a hundred other good ideas"

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#88

Post by prionassembly »

csmeder wrote: post #54

Hi Royce and Oliver, I have a suggestion: look into dimming the screen slowly for the last 30-60 seconds before you pull a person out of the app. This will greatly decrease the annoyance of being pulled out. It gives you time to anticipate being done with your session. I do this with my toddler. We let him use our phone to look at family videos while we are changing him. If I turn the phone off abruptly, it can be fr…

Do you have physical brightness buttons? Do you have any more gradual transition hacks?

Our 2-yr old doesn't have access to phones at all -- except perhaps when he grabs one that's lying around; but then he expects it taken from him. But he's so taken with TV that we plan screen time in reverse: start at dinner time and subtract how much time we want him to be there. Our whole approach to tantrums is having something else lined up rather than just shutting things off and leaving a void. I'm fascinated by your methods.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#90

Post by anteloper »

ryanisnan wrote: post #85

This looks great! The only thing I'd really advocate for is not pricing the app ridiculously. I tried Opal for a while, but their pricing model per month is a bit ridiculous. Effectively a subscription service for what should be a single-purchase app demonstrates developer greed. Edit: I'm a bit disappointed to see monthly fees here. Can you help justify to me why an app like this demands ongoing cost?

I hear that. The truth is that it's not solely about generating revenue, but aligning interests and making sure we're building the right thing over time. When customers are consistently paying, if we don't consistently deliver the value they're paying for, they leave. It means we're in a tighter feedback loop with users about what's working and what isn't.

It also lets us plan for the long term since we have a decent idea of what our revenue will be. Particularly in this space that's going to be important - we'll have to continuously evolve to changes in the platforms we're operating on and the apps themselves that we're helping restrict. Basically we think it's mission-critical that the technology protecting your attention to be as well built as the tech trying to exploit it, and we see this as * probably * the most effective way to accomplish that.

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