Myndr
We here at Proptechaweek have a desire to bring to the attention ways that proptech can help in improving its inhabitant’s wellbeing. The ubiquitous availability of the internet around the house has led to a growing number of people who are coping with internet addiction disorder and text claw. Myndr is bringing a technological solution to this problem so you can use your willpower and attention on something more productive.
👽 What?
Myndr provides a hardware button akin to the one of your thermostat, but instead of changing the temperature, it changes the kind of services that are accessible through the network. In the standard position, pointing up, your wifi operates as would any other, but when you turn it left it gradually starts blocking services until it’s pointing down where you are catapulted back in the 1990s.
The content filtering for the positions in between are focused on safety (no phishing, adult sites), relaxing (without notifications), and work (no distractions). At the moment the services can’t be configured based on your own preferences.
imagery courtesy myndr
The button looks really well designed and can find a place in any interior. It comes with a wifi-router that you connect to your internet and acts as the access point for the devices that should be affected by the Myndr (probably best to connect your wifi-enabled IoT-devices via another network though).
👍 Why
The Myndr is unlikely to prevent the hardcore internet addicts from getting their fix, however, it could be a great tool in managing internet usage for families with (little) children, and that is exactly how the product is marketed. The Myndr, being a big button in your living room, also provides an opportunity to be more mindful (get it ;-)) of how you use the internet. 81% of adults feel they spend too much time on their phone, an easy way to shut of the internet might help to carve out some internet detox-time.
A different use-case where Myndr seems a good fit is in the classroom. Being able to provide students wifi when it’s relevant and turning it off otherwise seems very fitting in this context.
👎 Why not?
I really love the concept, but it has some gimmicky feel about it and the effect might quickly fade. The device used to sell for a lump sum of €189, but recently they changed their model to a DWAAS-model (Digital Wellbeing as a service) and now they ask €9 a month which might seem a little bit steep for the service provided but lowers the initial investment needed to try out the product…
If you would want to use the Myndr to minimize the amount of radiowaves roaming around in the house you’re probably better off by turning your access points altogether.
🤷 Who?
Myndr was founded in the Netherlands by Maarten Wolzak in 2017. The consumer offering first launched and in 2019 they focused on the product for education. Next up is conquering Germany and partnerships with telco’s to include Myndr in their offering.
🕵️♀️ Who else?
The functionality provided by the Myndr in terms of filtering isn’t really all that special, Wifi-routers have had this functionality since the dawn of the internet, however, making it easy to operate and to switch configuration really is a novelty in an industry with a focus on (easy) setup and forget.
With the OpenWrt firmware, a compatible router, and technical mind you could provide a toggle button to your router hacking the setup button as an internet switch.
Another option for the technical inclined could be a Pi-hole which should be programmable exactly how you would want it and could be combined with a smart button of choice.
📚 Further reading?
Lifewire: when and how to turn off wifi
✨ Things happening
Lots of enthusiasm on Matterport going public through a SPAC… Interesting question on Twitter regarding alternatives to doing custom builds… I probably should have pitched FBR… I really enjoyed this take on the “data disease” from Dror Poleg…
Thank you Jeroen for writing about Myndr.
I'd like to add that we are currently mainly focussed on usage by teachers in primary schools. Again: filtering can be accomplished in many ways, also for schools. What makes Myndr different is that teachers, also the not-so-tech-savvy, can spend their time teaching, at rest that pupils can only access the parts of internet they should. And that pupils are less distracted by all the niceties of the web.
(Unless the teacher feels it's time to chill)