Brick's $65 gadget breaks doomscrolling cycle with app-blocking magnet
This magnetic cube blocks your worst apps—and actually works better than screen limits.
Deep Dive
Brick is a $65 magnetic device that blocks access to selected apps using NFC technology. After testing it for a few weeks, ZDNET editor Nina Raemont found its positive reinforcements more effective than Screen Time limits or app deletions. The device helped her develop a better relationship with her most-used apps and her phone.
Key Points
- Brick costs $65 and uses a physical magnetic cube that you must tap to unlock blocked apps
- More effective than Screen Time limits because it forces real-world friction instead of software loopholes
- Tracks unlock attempts to help users identify addictive patterns and build healthier phone habits
Why It Matters
A simple $65 hardware tool offers a practical, lasting solution to smartphone addiction that software restrictions alone can't fix.