Squirrel
An iOS application that combats phone addiction by linking phone usage behavior to personal investment and savings. It employs a hard-block mechanism requiring users to commit to an investment amount before unlocking a target application, without handling actual funds.
Timeline (last 90 days)
Squirrel or electron-updater is widely used in the Electron ecosystem as the auto-update framework for desktop applications.
When unlocking an app with Squirrel, users must open Squirrel, select the unlock duration, and set aside a few dollars for themselves.
Squirrel was built by maker Brian Hall.
Squirrel launched on Product Hunt with 84 upvotes, ranking 9th, and is categorized under iOS, productivity, and personal finance.
Squirrel does not handle any real money and does not require connecting a bank card or bank account.
Squirrel requires users to complete investments in their own brokerage accounts, then return to the app to record what was purchased, after which real-time market data is used to track portfolio performance.
Squirrel is an iOS app that combats phone addiction by "pricing" frequently opened apps and enforcing hard blocks.
Squirrel uses a hard block rather than a soft prompt that can be skipped with one tap, creating friction that requires users to pause and think before opening an app.
Squirrel's "hands-off money" design relies heavily on user self-discipline; if users do not actually place orders with a broker or fill in their holdings, the incentive effect is diminished.
Squirrel currently supports iOS only, limiting its reach.
2 more timeline events
All Facts (10)
Squirrel or electron-updater is widely used in the Electron ecosystem as the auto-update framework for desktop applications.
50%UnverifiedWhen unlocking an app with Squirrel, users must open Squirrel, select the unlock duration, and set aside a few dollars for themselves.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel was built by maker Brian Hall.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel does not handle any real money and does not require connecting a bank card or bank account.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel requires users to complete investments in their own brokerage accounts, then return to the app to record what was purchased, after which real-time market data is used to track portfolio performance.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel is an iOS app that combats phone addiction by "pricing" frequently opened apps and enforcing hard blocks.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel uses a hard block rather than a soft prompt that can be skipped with one tap, creating friction that requires users to pause and think before opening an app.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel's "hands-off money" design relies heavily on user self-discipline; if users do not actually place orders with a broker or fill in their holdings, the incentive effect is diminished.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel currently supports iOS only, limiting its reach.
50%UnverifiedSquirrel does not directly integrate with brokerage APIs, thereby avoiding the legal risk of becoming a regulated investment advisor or money transmission institution.
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