If someone offered you $5 to not look at your phone during class, would you do it? With an app called Pocket Points, you can be rewarded for refraining from using your smartphone on campus. Okay, so maybe they don’t reward you with cold hard cash, but with discounts at local businesses and online retailers, it’s pretty much like money in your pocket.
Not only is the app free, it is also really simple to use. After connecting through your Facebook account, all you have to do is have the app running but keep your phone locked while you are on campus (the app uses location services and will only reward you for time on the UMass campus). As time ticks on, you accumulate points. However, as soon as you unlock your phone, the points stop adding up. So the longer you refrain from looking at your phone, the more points you earn. The number of points you gain also depends on how many people near you are using the app at the same time. The more users, the more points you will get. So encourage your friends to join too, you can all rack up rewards quickly!
I will admit the app is not perfect. I’m an Android user and the app has crashed or glitched on several occasions, and other users have experienced similar problems. Also, retailers can change or remove rewards at any time, so you can save up for a reward but before you know it, it has been taken off the app. Just minor complaints, but worth noting.
In terms of what rewards you can earn with your points, there are lots of great options. From half-price sandwiches at The Works Bakery Cafe in downtown Amherst, to a free scoop at Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream, to discounted taxi fare, there are many rewards to choose from. There are also discounts for online retailers, such as the increasingly popular Elephant Pants, where you can get up to 20% off your purchase.
Overall, this app is definitely worth the download. It will help you break a bad habit and earn rewards while doing so. I’d call that a win-win.