A brand new app referred to as Currently launched on the App Retailer a number of weeks in the past, focusing on folks with ADHD to assist them arrive on time and rewarding them for doing so.
The service is designed to assist customers handle their journey plans by notifying them when it’s time to depart for a visit, sending reminders half-hour, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes earlier than departure. It additionally options Dwell Actions on iPhone and Apple Watch that show a countdown to depart.
To encourage well timed departures, Currently employs a degree reward system with 4 problem ranges.
The best degree, “Goldfish,” awards customers 3 factors for being early, 2 factors for being on time, and 0 for being late, whereas the opposite ranges — “Espresso,” “Grown Up,” and “Yoda” — change into progressively much less forgiving. Yoda, as an example, deducts 2 factors for being late.
As customers accumulate factors, they degree up and unlock varied digital characters throughout the app that function achievement badges. Whereas the reward could seem easy, it might present customers with a way of progress and accomplishment.
Currently was created by indie developer Erik MacInnis to deal with challenges confronted by people with ADHD, significantly associated to time administration.
“I’ve at all times been the ‘late one’ in my buddy group,” MacInnis informed TechCrunch. “For many people, our hardest challenges to leaving on time are time blindness and poor time estimation. Currently addresses each of those issues by conserving the consumer continually conscious of when to depart, and it’s gamified, so that you get factors once you arrive on time, which actually feels good.”
Whereas different related apps exist — comparable to an Android app referred to as Time to Go away — MacInnis believes they’re outdated. ADHD apps like Structured and TickTick are primarily for activity administration and don’t particularly tackle time blindness for commuting.
Throughout our testing, we discovered Currently to be useful, however we want it might present time estimations for commuters in massive cities who use public transportation or biking. At the moment, the app solely gives choices for driving or strolling.
Regardless of this small limitation, we imagine the app might be profitable amongst its goal demographic.
People with ADHD ceaselessly really feel unmotivated, and specialists usually recommend using a reward system to assist with self-discipline. One other gamified app, Finch, has gained consideration for its level system. The self-care app encourages customers to finish every day chores at residence or have interaction in different wholesome habits by rewarding them with factors that can be utilized to customise their digital pet.
MacInnis revealed future plans for Currently, which embody a social characteristic that mechanically notifies associates when customers depart, when they’re 5 minutes away, and once they arrive. An Android model can also be a part of the long-term roadmap.
Currently is accessible totally free, however there’s additionally a premium subscription ($3 per 30 days or $10 per 12 months) that gives options like customizing problem ranges and scheduling recurring journeys.
