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Show HN: I made a app that uses NFC as a physical switch to block distractions

(www.foqos.app)
225 points awaseem | 3 comments | 21 Jan 25 16:52 UTC | HN request time: 0.632s | source

Hi HN!

Super proud to showcase Foqos! I wanted to create a way to physically block apps on my phone, always had a bunch of NFC tags, combined the 2 together over the holiday break and Foqos was born. You can create profiles, write them to NFC tags and track your weekly focus.

Its completely open source and will always be free! There is an affiliate link in the app for nfc tags and donations are completely optional

Link here: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/foqos/id6736793117

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insane_dreamer ◴[21 Jan 25 20:30 UTC] No.42784860[source]▶
Very cool; wondering if this could work as a parental control. "screen time" on iOS is fundamentally broken, and something like this would require the child to come to the parent for screen time extensions (if the parent has the NFC chip).
replies(2): >>42785188 #>>42785943 #
puttycat ◴[21 Jan 25 21:05 UTC] No.42785188[source]▶
How is that different from the parent holding the code?
replies(3): >>42785368 #>>42786453 #>>42786624 #
Terr_ ◴[21 Jan 25 23:34 UTC] No.42786624[source]▶
One scenario I can think of: When there's an occasion where you want to give them unlimited time, but you don't want to disclose the code and then later have to reset it to something new. Or you want to delegate permission to a babysitter.

You just give them the doohickey and ask for it back later. (Cloning the NFC tag is a much harder job that remembering a PIN.)

replies(1): >>42787065 #
1. HeatrayEnjoyer ◴[22 Jan 25 00:22 UTC] No.42787065[source]▶
Not unlike using a TPM to prevent users from copying copyrighted content while still allowing controlled access.
replies(1): >>42787997 #
2. Terr_ ◴[22 Jan 25 02:09 UTC] No.42787997[source]▶
That seems like a rather unfair comparison, tarring "parent won't let child watch movies after bedtime" with the same brush as "international megacorp sabotages hardware you own in profit-seeking paranoia."

Heck, in many jurisdiction the device is owned by the parents anyway, not the kid.

replies(1): >>42869064 #
3. HeatrayEnjoyer ◴[29 Jan 25 18:28 UTC] No.42869064[source]▶
Nah, it's fair.