Gift Guide: 5 Gifts for Less Screen Time

TechCrunch's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Finding Balance

Looking for the perfect gift? TechCrunch’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is here to help! We will be regularly updating this guide with new ideas throughout December.

A Year of Tech Reassessment

This past year has prompted a widespread reevaluation of our connection to technology. The potential negative impacts of social media, particularly on young people, have come under increased scrutiny.

Concerns have been raised regarding how algorithms can contribute to societal division and the spread of extremist viewpoints.

Even traditionally popular companies, such as Apple, are facing challenges through antitrust lawsuits and investigations.

Gifts for Disconnecting

As we approach 2022, many are seeking a more balanced relationship with technology. This gift guide focuses on items that facilitate stepping away from screens and digital life.

Our selections aim to provide opportunities for disconnecting and enjoying experiences outside of the digital realm.

The intention is to offer gifts that promote well-being and a healthier lifestyle in an increasingly tech-saturated world.

AllTrails Pro

AllTrails has become a widely used resource for discovering outdoor adventures, cataloging more than 200,000 trails globally. It provides comprehensive maps, user-submitted photos, and reviews from a vast community of outdoor enthusiasts.

However, for those who frequently hike, bike, or climb, the AllTrails Pro subscription presents significant value.

Key Features of AllTrails Pro

Downloadable Maps: Essential for excursions in areas with limited or no cellular service.
Off-Route Notifications: Alerts users if they stray from the designated trail.
Lifeline Feature: Shares real-time trail progress with designated safety contacts.
Environmental Details: Provides access to current air quality, pollen counts, and weather information directly on the maps.

The company is poised for continued growth and innovation, fueled by a recent $150 million investment. These funds will be allocated to ongoing product enhancements and development.

Price: An annual subscription costs $29.99, while a three-year subscription is available for $59.99.

Opal

Modern smartphones often present a source of distraction, pulling attention away from present experiences and towards digital interfaces. Although recent software enhancements, such as Apple’s Focus Mode, offer increased user control, the Opal application provides a more comprehensive solution.

Functioning as a specialized VPN client, Opal enables complete disconnection from applications that cause interruptions. This allows for enhanced concentration and the effortless establishment of automated schedules for dedicated periods like work or family time, during which apps and notifications remain silent.

A key distinction of Opal lies in its ability to implement “deep focus” sessions. These sessions are configured with a timer that cannot be overridden, ensuring uninterrupted concentration when it is most critical.

The application offers versatile usage options. It can be activated on demand when focused work is required, or it can operate continuously to facilitate the development of healthier routines and stronger boundaries in daily life.

Price: A gift subscription priced at $40 grants access to one year of Opal Pro features.

Light Phone

For those seeking to disconnect from constant digital stimulation, eliminating a smartphone entirely might seem ideal. However, complete disconnection isn't always practical, given the necessity of maintaining contact during emergencies or simply navigating modern life.

The Light Phone presents an alternative, enabling a deliberate step back without total isolation. This device facilitates both calls and text messaging, alongside essential tools such as an alarm, calculator, and a mobile hotspot. It also features a streamlined music and podcast player.

Core Functionality and Updates

Recent additions to the Light Phone’s capabilities include a directions feature, and upcoming support for public transportation route planning is anticipated. The core philosophy centers around providing a “smart” phone experience devoid of the addictive nature of typical apps and games.

While potentially not suitable as a primary device for all users, the Light Phone serves as an excellent substitute during weekend trips or periods of heightened stress. It offers a means to reclaim focus and reduce digital overload.

Service Plans and Compatibility

The Light Phone provides its own SIM plans utilizing the AT&T network, beginning at $30 per month for unlimited talk and text, coupled with 1 GB of data. These plans are billed monthly and require no long-term contract.

Importantly, the phone is unlocked and compatible with any 4G VoLTE Nano-SIM card, mirroring the type commonly used in existing smartphones.

Price: $299 (Light Phone II), available in Light Gray and Black finishes.

Speechify

The popularity of consuming content through podcasts and e-books continues to grow. However, what if it were possible to significantly decrease time spent looking at screens by converting virtually any text into an audio format? Speechify provides precisely this functionality.

This web and mobile application empowers users to listen to a wide range of textual content – including documents, news reports, academic research, student work, PDFs, and email correspondence – utilizing a diverse array of realistic, AI-generated voices.

Currently, the app offers compatibility with numerous platforms. These include Gmail, Outlook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Docs, Notion, MS Teams, PDFs, Medium, the New York Times, BBC, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

Furthermore, Speechify allows for the capture of images of book pages, enabling the text within them to be read aloud. It’s important to note that this solution represents a substantial investment, rather than a fleeting purchase, as it encourages a transition from screen-based reading to an audio-based experience.

Pricing Details

Price: A one-year subscription to Speechify Premium is available for $139. Special pricing options are offered for groups, teams, and educational institutions.

Reese’s Book Club Gift Sets

Individuals who favor physical books over digital formats or audiobooks can explore the themed Gift of Reading Box Sets offered by Reese’s Book Club. This online book community, curated by Reese Witherspoon, provides curated reading experiences.

These sets combine a highly-rated book club selection with complementary items designed to enhance the reading experience. Items included can range from comfortable socks and blankets to gourmet snacks, specialty coffees, unique bookmarks, and even beach-themed accessories like towels.

A Thoughtful Gift Option

The inclusion of multiple items elevates the perceived value of these boxes. They represent an ideal present for a beloved mother-in-law or aunt who consistently enjoys reading.

A key feature is the ability to choose the specific book included within the box. Furthermore, customers have the option to personalize their own box by selecting from the available items.