Sway 4+

De-gameify this app

I want to love this app more than I do, but it has a major design/philosophical flaw that makes it infuriating.

I purchased this app with the intent to use it for walking meditation. And it's quite possible to do so, but only at the higher 'levels' of the app. Does the sensitivity differ between levels? I don't know, but the app does appear to behave differently from one level to the next.

This would be fine, and kind of cool, but the app is gameified such that if you miss a day (or more) you slide back a level (or more). To get back to that sweet level that works great for walking meditation, I have to progress through each level that proceeds it, but one. day. at. a. time.

Why? Why design the app this way? It could be a great support to meditation, but instead it's just a terrible 'game'.

Please, in the next version, give the user the option, once they've progressed through a level, to 'hold' their current level if they wish and not slip backwards. Do that, and you've got something unique AND useful. Thanks!

Don't buy this

While the visual design is great, the application of the vision for this app misses the mark. It's not a mindfulness app or even close to a meditation app. It's a neat idea, executed well with little to no thought of how the user will benefit from it.

Quite annoying

Meditation that involves awkward continuous movement with fine muscles is not relaxing. It does force you to focus on the present as all you can think of is how irritating it is to keep your phone in constant motion. I'd like my $4 and 3 minutes back.

Developer Response ,

Appreciate for your feedback. We designed Level 1 as an introduction with hand movements, we understand it may feel awkward in the beginning. In that case we suggest to try put your phone in your pocket, then gently swaying your body, or practise walking slowly and mindfully (we strongly recommend wearing a headset), and let the sound feedback guide you. It may feel much more natural without holding the phone in the hand.

Every movement can be mindful. We build Sway as a very open tool to help you practise mindful movements, we hope you to give Sway a bit time, and be creative in finding your own way to Sway. Please let us know your further feedback.