Announcing Calm Tech Certified™ and the First Class of Certified Products

I’m excited to announce that the Calm Tech Institute (CTI) just announced the launch of Calm Tech Certified™, a certification program designed to help companies create products that prioritize customer well-being by reducing their stress and cognitive load. Calm Tech Certified™ is the world’s first standard for attention and technology.

To help inaugurate the Calm Tech Certification Process, we’ve awarded Certification to a select number of existing products which satisfy the 81 point Calm Tech Certification Standard.

Calm Tech Certified™ Awardees

Airthings™ View Plus

Airthings™ View Plus detects air quality and displays it on a friendly e-Ink display with a color-coded status light.

Airthings View Plus: Air quality inside the home affects human health, but is often invisible. Airthings makes air quality visible through seven sensors and visualizes them in a calm way. Airthings devices have e-ink display and a colored indicator, compressing information into a glanceable display, while allowing for a detailed view through the app. The battery life is extremely long, the unit is small and responsible, and it passes Calm Tech Certification on every level.

Noteworthy features include comprehensive monitoring (seven air quality sensors provide a holistic view of indoor environments) and a companion app showing historic data.

Calm Tech Principles in Airthings’ Design:

• Use of the periphery: Airthings works in the background by monitoring air quality without being the center of attention.
• Communicate without speaking: The visual indicator light and E-Ink display provides visual cues about air quality without intrusive audible alerts.

I wrote about Airthings in more detail in a recent post: Turning My Living Space into a Friendly Spacecraft.

Daylight Computer (DC-1)

Daylight Computer was built as a more comfortable computing environment for the eyes.

Daylight Computer: The World’s First 60 Hz E-Paper computer, the Daylight DC1 is a laptop designed to be used both outdoors and at night without disrupting circadian rhythm, the Daylight Computer (DC-1) represents a paradigm shift in computing devices, earning it Calm Tech Certification. This innovative device combines the benefits of digital technology with a more human-friendly interface.

Calm Tech Principles in Daylight Computer:

• Paper-like display: The world’s first full-speed (60fps) paper-like display reduces eye strain and allows for comfortable use in various lighting conditions.
• Distraction-free environment: By offering a dedicated space for focused tasks like reading, writing, and note-taking, DC-1 minimizes digital distractions.
• Extended battery life: Days of use on a single charge reduce the anxiety associated with frequent charging needs.
• Night shift: The use of a warm, amber color allows for continued use without interrupting sleep.

Time Timer® MOD Home Edition

Time Timer’s visible and tactile display helps with time management and attention skills.

Time Timer: A visual timer that makes time easy. Popular for teachers, parents, and kids with autism and ADHD, Time Timer features a colored disc that gradually disappears as time elapses, providing an intuitive visual representation of chronology.

Calm Tech Principles in Time Timer:

• Requires minimal attention: Time Timer uses a visual representation of time passing, allowing users to grasp remaining time at a glance without needing to actively focus on it.
• Informs and creates calm: The gradual disappearance of the colored disk provides a calm, intuitive way to show time elapsing, potentially reducing anxiety associated with time pressure.
• Uses the periphery: Time Timer can be placed in the user’s peripheral vision, allowing them to stay aware of time without it dominating their attention.

Unpluq Tag + Premium Subscription

The Unpluq tag restricts access to specific apps on the phone, giving people a break from attention-sucking programs.

Unpluq: A simple keychain tag with NFC connectivity, Unplug “locks” selected apps for a designated time, preventing access unless they’re physically unlocked — giving users a concrete, customizable means to manage their digital habits, while aligning with calm technology’s emphasis on tangible interfaces.

Calm Tech Principles in Unplug:

• Requires minimal attention: Unpluq uses a physical key to manage phone access, requiring minimal cognitive effort to engage or disengage from digital distractions.
• Informs and creates calm: Unpluq reduces anxiety and creates a sense of calm by restricting access to distracting and stressful apps.

With over 50% of users still engaged after a year, and an average screen time reduction of 1 hour and 22 minutes per day, Unpluq demonstrates lasting behavioral change. CTI recently spoke with Unplug CEO Caroline Cadwell for this in-depth interview.

We’re always excited to come across products like these which already use and align with Calm Tech Principles. We hope this first batch of certified products helps people understand the broad range of applications of Calm Tech Principles and inspires more companies to build with principles of Calm Technology™.

Calm Tech Certification gives brands a competitive edge by ensuring their products are designed to minimize distractions, enhance engagement, and foster lasting customer loyalty. Built around a thorough audit of a product and rigorous certification evaluation, Calm Tech Certified™ products meet the highest standards of calm and thoughtful design.

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Have a product you’d like to certify?

We’re excited to help companies design the next generation of consumer devices! Contact CTI for workshops, reviews and Calm Tech Certified™ here.