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Welcome to Skimm checkedseries where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.
What we tested…
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brick, $59
How we tested…
My co-worker and I have been implementing “Brick” into our daily and nightly routine for six weeks. We noted how we felt before and after using it, as well as the effect it had on our screen time.
Why was Margo tested…
Results Margo…
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Quick settings. It took me almost no time to install The Brick. All I had to do was add my email, provide the verification code sent to my email, and allow the tool to access my screen time. The brick itself is heavy and has a magnet on the back. You can store it almost anywhere, but I kept it in my fridge for easy access.
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Personalization. When you create your account and install the app, you can create custom modes. I have an app that blocks Instagram and an app that closes all work-related apps (Slack, Gmail, Google Calendar) before bed so I’m not mindlessly scrolling or thinking about things I shouldn’t be when I’m off. I love that you can be creative with the way you name the different modes. The last routine I created is called “Reading Time” because at bedtime, I just want to focus on it.
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Ease of use. To lock yourself out of your apps, all you have to do is hold your phone up to The Brick. It will scan and then block you. Because you can create a schedule that you can set and forget when you access your apps again. If you have an emergency and need to check your apps suddenly, you can click “unlock device” in the app and scan again.
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Efficiency. I was surprised that I noticed the effect immediately. By closing certain apps without being able to open them from my phone (like Apple’s screen capability), I found myself reaching for my phone and moving around a lot less. In fact, I’ve seen my screen time drop from 35 to 53% in recent weeks, which is quite a change. My head feels clearer and alleviating that knee-jerk reaction to movement has allowed me to really focus on the hobbies I love.
Why was Abby tested…
Abby’s results…
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Ease of use. Abby notes that she loves the easy setup of the tool. Because of how painless and quick it was, she could use it properly. If he wanted to make adjustments to his custom settings, he could also easily do so by logging into the app and unchecking the apps he didn’t want to close.
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Tactile nature. Abby enjoyed that there was a physical element to the instrument. Because it’s so portable, it’s a smarter experience than just setting a timer on your phone or sidestepping apps for further distraction.
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Personalization. Abby primarily used The Brick in two modes: what she calls “deep work,” which shuts down all social media apps, email, text messages, and any other social media apps that would cause her to move in an understandable way, and what she calls “quiet mode,” which was perfect for times when she wanted to connect with loved ones without moving or sleeping.
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Efficiency. Abby also loves that you can set a timer for when you just need a break without having to worry about using up your “emergency bricks.” More on that below.
Sides…
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It has a brick "emergency brick unlock” feature that gives you five chances to unlock your apps without a physical device. After five chances, you have to scan the brick to unlock your apps.
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While $59 is steep for such a small device, we both think it’s more than worth it. On top of regular brand sales, they also offer bundled pricing. Brick is now said to be eligible via FSA/HSA It is truewhich we think is the best way to buy.
Good details…
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brick, $59
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At the moment, you can buy bricks only from it getbrick.com.
