Simply switch off with “My Time” from Swisscom

“Digital Detox” is a new trend that sees people consciously set aside their smartphones for a period of time. This downtime can be used to do a lot of things, such as spending time with other people without being interrupted, concentrating on work or enjoying a moment of peace and quiet. The free app My Time, which was developed by Swisscom in collaboration with start-up company OFFTIME, allows users to schedule a period of time during which they do not want to be able to be contacted. According to a survey carried out by Swisscom and market research company Link, around 60% of those asked switch off their smartphones from time to time in order to not be disturbed for a set amount of time. Customers can use My Time to block individual, multiple or all services and apps, or only allow calls from specific people. During these periods of downtime, the app can, upon request, answer contact enquiries with a personalised SMS containing details of when the user will be next available to take calls. At the end of the scheduled downtime, My Time will display a summary of all the events you missed. “The use of technology and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are closely intertwined,” says Alexander Steinhart, CEO of OFFTIME. “The aim of My Time is to help Swisscom customers determine their exposure to their smartphones themselves.”