Created by Giulio Barresi at ECAL (Media and Interaction Design Unit), Connected Tools is a series of objects that explore alternative rituals that could lead to a more reasonable consumption of mobile technologies. Opposite to software solutions (Apple's iOS 12 update), these hardware devices are designed to create a physical distance between the smartphones and the user.
The first tool in the Connected Humans collection is x01 Focus Tool, designed to help users be less distracted by the massive amount of notifications they are receiving daily on their phones. It actively blocks and deletes unnecessary notifications before they even have the time to be displayed. Focus Tool can also be programmed to be less harmful to these distractions depending on how busy the user is. The second tool is x02 Awareness Tool, device that tracks the time spent on the device using a goal for the day. Users can try to spend less time on their screens and beat their friends’ scores. The third and final tool is xO3 Social Tool, designed for restaurants, helps users get more involved in the moment and with the people around them – plus it charges their phones.