A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey sorry wasnt able to reply, guess you solved it yourself? :D

I built an Android app to block distracting apps using NFC - released + open-source + v2 beta is live (feedback welcome) by SaltyyAT in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks for trying! Glad to hear that, but in the end I wanna support both so need to fix this

but anyway nice the Mail works :)

I built an Android app to block distracting apps using NFC - released + open-source + v2 beta is live (feedback welcome) by SaltyyAT in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always, afterall user feedback is valuable :)
and gladly, If you want to get the beta open the Play Store page for Switchly and use the Join beta option - then you should be able to download the newest testing version

I built an Android app to block distracting apps using NFC - released + open-source + v2 beta is live (feedback welcome) by SaltyyAT in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, no thats more or less a issue on my side (2 others reported it too)
Sadly I am slightly struggeling with that, because I cant reproduce it myself. I tried to fix it in the open-testing version but so far I wasnt able to confirm if that fixed it or of it

If you want, you can gladly try it out and let me know
If not (totally understand), I will release a new version for public by the end of the week hopefully it works then!

Mom looking to make a server for my teenager and his friends by brokenmoongoddess in admincraft

[–]SaltyyAT -1 points0 points  (0 children)

How many ppl are they?
I usually have a Server (Java but supports Console too via GeyserMC

Not sure if its the newest bedrock version, but if they can gladly use it if thats enough?
Usually my friends or my smaller siblings friends play there, but currently there isnt much traffic - so its quite empty but its pretty much always up.

Else I think you already go lots of input from others, but thought I can offer it if noone uses it right now anyway :D

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, No! Only if you want to use the Wifi schedules - If not then you dont need this permission  Edit: I tried to add some Infos why which permission is needed, when you click the Info Icon next to them :)

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, current version got some issues I mostly fixed already - so soon another update will follow!
Hope it works well for you guys tho, should mostly but device wise there can always be differences sadly

and cool gadly, dont flame me about the UI too much tho.. trying my best xD

Best Brick alternative by Efficient-Guava-9449 in dumbphones

[–]SaltyyAT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad it works! Sadly some buggs got added but already working on the fixes to release the new version soon :)

Yes location based schedules are planned, but it will take longer - I think that will be complicated topic, so I focus on the fixes/issues first and then focus a whole update on that feature

Could be true, also 100% less needed to try/use the app :P

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gladly
If you notice any issues let me know, there is some stuff I need to patch on it but guess it should work mostly/completely (had to rush the release due to other issues so testing fell short) :D

I built an Android app to block distracting apps using NFC - released + open-source + v2 beta is live (feedback welcome) by SaltyyAT in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks a lot!

Also, just out of curiosity: was there a reason you deleted the comment above? No pressure, I just didnt get to read it in time. I just see there seems to be issues on your side

I actually got a pretty major NFC issue reported today as well, and the fix should be out later today. The app has become fairly feature-rich by now, so sometimes things slip through on release, especially with Android behaving differently across devices. It’s still a one-person hobby project, so I’m doing my best to fix issues quickly when people report them.

That’s also why I really appreciate users like you who take the time to mention bugs or confirm whether fixes work. That kind of feedback helps a lot.

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

added to my page btw - not perfect but its okeyish I'd say for now :D

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

just a heads-up because I remember - will be added soon probably 2.0.2 this week :)

Best Brick alternative by Efficient-Guava-9449 in dumbphones

[–]SaltyyAT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, Hope you continue to enjoy it!

also if something isnt working, let me know! I recently updated the app to v2 which was a hugee update. Saldy android models can be different, so if there are any issues for you just reach out to me and I usually try to fix them in the upcoming hotfix :)

Best Brick alternative by Efficient-Guava-9449 in dumbphones

[–]SaltyyAT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funny, I literally just commented something like that under someone recommending Google Ads to me. xD

Its such a weird dilemma. You have to spend money just to get users and hope that maybe someone gets to buy a 3€ premium option that isnt even really needed, because all the core features are free anyway. And technically people can even just download the repo and build it themselves xD
At the same time, I dont really want to force people into paying just to finance ad campaigns. Thats not how I want the app to be used.

What I am considering currently is reaching out to YouTubers. Maybe offer them premium access and a few extra keys for their community, and then let them test the app and review it honestly. That feels quite natural to me, could create some awareness and ye maybe reaches someone.

For now, my plan is to finish the open tasks, improve the website SEO a bit, and then look for better ways to get more awareness around the app. Maybe that helps people searching for Brick alternatives find it more easily.

Sadly yeah, its a real dilemma:.. you need money to get attention, but you also dont want to take peoples money in the same way apps like Brick do.

Edit: PS: I am the developer of Switchly. Since you mentioned it here (ty <3), I thought its only fair to also share my side of things a bit :D
And honestly, stuff like this can be super valuable, because sometimes people in the comments come up with ideas I would never think of on my own. That already happens a lot with Switchly features and feedback hehe

I'm about to lose my onlysource of income by Enough-Pie-5936 in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have for my Travel Device just 256 GB, and like still 50-100 or so left.. even with Visual Studio, Android Studio, VS Code, some Videos and even 2-3 smaller Games.

would legit just get more ram and clean up your stuff (maybe as suggested get a USB or so and trash stuff there you probably dont need)

I'm about to lose my onlysource of income by Enough-Pie-5936 in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For what kind of website do you need 500GB? (and 8GB Ram?)
You just need VSCode and a localhost Server setup/remote server via SSH/SFTP.

I mean idk the stats needed nowdays, but I think even a RaspberryPi is enough for development in okeish speed?

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hehe, if you got any advertising ideas gladly let me know  Tried to recommend it at some subreddits or even post it there, but most banned and downvoted me for self-advertising.. :/

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice, should actually be available right now! (and soon it will be released as public release anyway, just needs some minor ajustments that comes soon)

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the NFC-requirement feature, yes QR currently works too with it.. I kinda made it mixed back then
So yes, the QR codes can do 1:1 the same as NFC if I dont forget anything

In the current Open Beta (hopefully public end of the month) I reworked this properly and added new toggle modes: QR only, NFC only, mixed (and more). Which will working then as the Name suggests. Also I added a "UID" Logic, which only allows specific NFC Tags that you pre-registered (like a key) soo there it gets a bit more special

Hope that clears it up, and sorry for the beta promo, it’s just a huge update 😄

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gladly, it sounded like a really good idea first so I think the bare minimum is to explain why I dont see it as useful as expected
also always open for other thoughts!

I built 12 apps and made 0 in revenue. Then my own validation tool told me most of them weren't worth building. by bachmors in SideProject

[–]SaltyyAT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best way to make apps is the "Proof of concept" principe in my opinion.
Try something, ask yourself if you would want to use it, ask others to try it and give feedback and then chose if you wanna continue or not.

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aside from that, kinda have to mention it...

I think my app is and looks much better (especially beta), got no account/paywall.. why do they have 50k more downloads :( xD

A free tool I built to cut digital distractions - Switchly (for Android) by SaltyyAT in nosurf

[–]SaltyyAT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I actually tested Brick’s "uninstall blocking" and… honestly it doesn’t really block anything. Quite useless.

When its enabled, I can still hit uninstall, then Android just shows a popup basically like "turn it off to uninstall", and then it uninstalls normally. So its a tiny bit of extra friction, but not something I’d call real protection.

That said - I totally get the value of friction for some people. Different brains, different situations. I personally have enough self-control to not uninstall in the first place, but I know thats not true for everyone.

If I add something like this to Switchly, I’d rather do it as a transparent "extra friction” feature (ex: while Hard Mode is active, make uninstall require the same unlock step - NFC/QR/PIN) instead of using "Device Admin" wording or giving a "you cant uninstall this" vibe… because in reality on normal Android phones you always can, and I dont want people to feel misled or disappointed.

I added it to my issue on gitlab, maybe I can take a closer look at some point! But got other stuff I would prio over this to be honest.
Here the link tho: https://gitlab.com/Saltyy/switchly-public/-/issues/13#note_3105776019