ACT Companion: Happiness Trap 4+

Handy app to ACT work though needs updating

I like the app though I’m aware of some weaknesses that hinder it’s use for self reflection journaling. Updates are needed here. This includes typing limitations when wanting the next line plus sharing has only access to email when I’d like to share my experiences with my journaling app and other share options. Also would like to access more sections that the book references to to develop myself more. If you’ve studied the book then I would highly recommend this app. Once you’ve advanced your mindfulness meditation then maybe consider other meditation experiences outside of ACT including MBSR MBCT and the holistic psychologist approach are worth considering. App is worth it for getting a structured guidance happening. Have patience with this for your future self. You’ll get there.

Functions locked unless you provide personal contact information

Majority of the functionality and exercises are locked unless you sign up and provide your personal contact information. The information is stored externally, and therefore a serious lack of control for personal information is apparent. The all goes through exercises such as mindfulness type activities, self reflections, and diary type entries, which is well and good if there was a degree of control over where hat information is stored. Even though I paid the entire price the functionality is extremely limited unless you sign up again inside the app app and agree to have all your entries stored externally. For what purpose, for a psychology based app that has very intimate personal details it should be permitted to store only on the app like older versions of this app permitted. It's also concerning that all of this is cross references with location data. I see no benevolent use or requirement for this. This is also dishonest presentation of the functionally, if a user has paid full price for an app, they expect full access - something the App Store will need to scrutinise more carefully, and will probably pick up on at some stage. Very disappointing, and I will now be requesting my money back and deleting the app. A shame because the processes and methodology behind ACT are actually not bad.

Developer Response ,

I understand your concerns about privacy. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, you don't need to provide any personal contact information to unlock the content. You simply need to provide an email address (any will do) and create a password so that 1. you can back up your data and 2. we can send you an access code when we introduce subscription options so you won't lose your unlimited access to the app content. The data that you enter in the app is encrypted so it is not able to be viewed by any individuals except yourself, much like the content of your email inbox. Also, there is no location data collected.

Paragraphs

It would be good if the app maker made it possible to do new paragraphs in the boxes.. at the moment, to seperate paragraphs you have to use dot points (........). Also be good if you could do bullet points within those boxes.

Also there should be a save option at the end of each box. Currently if I want to go back and check what I’ve written so far, it will delete the current stuff. Pls fix.

Also it would be great in the do what matters section.. if we could go back and edit entries..