Here’s what most of us are looking for in a world where every new distraction is potentially billion dollar idea. The Facebooks and Whatsapp messengers of the world hardly ever do anything to add to our productivity at work. And yet, there they are, perpetually peeping through our screens with their notifications, trying to make us leave that report and have a look at the latest selfie posted by the ex. Saent, projected as a solution to this scenario, is claimed to be the world’s first smart device and software designed to make you less distracted and more productive at work.
The bundle comprises of a beautifully designed white button with a cool blue ring and software designed to block apps, notifications and calculate your productivity in a variety of ways. Pressing the Saent button starts a focused work session; the cool blue light turns on as an indicator for your colleagues to not disturb you.
Upon hitting the button the Saent app locks you into apps and websites that are productive for your work based on a predefined list, while blocking out distractions like social networking sites or app notifications. You get friendly warnings when your veer off. Over time, Saent has the ability to learn your work patterns and associate productive apps with specific tasks. The system lets you work in blocks of 30, 50 or 90 minutes with breaks in between. Saent is also configured to optimise your break time based on previous work sessions, and recommend the optimal time to begin working again. The system also has a scoring system to rate your performance against your friends and co-workers if you so wish.
While Saent is essentially a productivity software, which can work without the hardware part too, and is available in that form as well, the physical button according to its team is a key cog. “Unlike other productivity apps, you won’t lose the Saent button amidst myriad other app icons on your desktop or home screen” according to its makers. It’s apparaently a physical representation of your focus and a shortcut to a productive work session.
The Saent app comes pre-loaded with a list of distracting websites and software programs, and you can customize what sites and apps you want blocked or unblocked.
Initially Saent software is available only on OS X and Windows, though iOS and Android versions are also on their way.
So how much is it going to cost? Well, the people at Saent have not been able to figure out the final pricing for the product yet, though they are quoting between $49 and $69 for the hardware and between $5 and $10 per month for the premium version of the software. A free version of the Saent software will also be on offer.
The product should be ready for deliveries by November 2015.
Does having a physical button help increase productivity over similar apps? Are you convinced with the idea? Do give us a shout out on one of the social networks.
Do have a look at the video detailing the product below
