New Technology Company Aims to Transform Mobile Device Dependence

HARVARD, Mass., June 13, 2016 /CNW/ -- PassTask, LLC, a Massachusetts-based technology company, today unveiled its TOPs Balance (Task Oriented Passwords) platform, aimed at off-setting the growing trend of mobile device overuse and consumption by children and teens. According to NBC News, teens spend nine hours a day in front of screens and children ages 8-12 spend six hours.¹ To address this growing issue, TOPs balances mobile device overuse with bursts of knowledge delivered throughout the day, every time a user seeks to unlock their device.

The new TOPs unlock method has effectively reimagined a mobile device as a powerful and effortless knowledge delivery system. Whenever the user reaches for a device, an alternative unlock method launches a 10-second "Knowledge Burst."  A "Knowledge Burst" is a 10-second infusion of grade specific educational content that users pass through prior to gaining access to their home screen.  Material ranges from moments in history to vocabulary and science, all combined with dramatic imagery and drawn from partnerships with content leaders such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, Merriam Webster and Getty Images. The iOS version of TOPs also features an "audio read" function.

Parents and users first customize the intensity of learning by selecting either optional or mandatory delivery of Knowledge Bursts. Then, users are prompted with Knowledge Bursts at every device unlock, thereby balancing their mobile device overuse. 

• The optional delivery method (low intensity) gives the user a unique prompt or persuasive option for a 10-second Knowledge Burst at every unlock screen.
• The mandatory delivery method (high intensity) is a more dedicated balance strategy and requires the completion of a 10-second Knowledge Burst at every unlock prior to gaining access to the home screen.

Developed by entrepreneur Fred Curtis Jr., the app is the first-of-its-kind and designed to leverage mobile device use to supplement ongoing learning and education. "Raising six kids in the new mobile world, I saw immediately the incredible time being spent on mobile devices and knew then the difficult challenge," said Fred Curtis Jr., founder and CEO of PassTask, LLC.  "I had to do something to create more value with that time. With TOPs, we balance their screen time with captivating educational content delivered in an effortless manner each time they pick up their device."

"Our vast content portfolio has long-been synonymous with education and learning, helping to broaden the world-view and knowledge base of children and adults around the world," said John Russell, Business Development Director, Encyclopaedia Britannica. "We are thrilled to provide our content for the unique TOPs platform to help foster among young people a sense of curiosity, adventure and quest for knowledge."

Video demonstrations are available at Topsbalance.com.  Download "TOPs Balance" for $2.99 USD in the App Store or Google Play Store.

About PassTask:
PassTask, LLC, is a Massachusetts-based technology company that delivers game-changing, incremental mobile learning software for children and young adults. The company was founded by Fred Curtis, Jr., a U.S. Small Business Administration's Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year and a father of six. The company's mission is to give parents and kids a powerful tool that helps balance mobile device overuse with learning. It launched TOPs Balance for Android and iOS devices in 2016. For more information, or video demonstrations, please visit Topsbalance.com and follow on Twitter (@PassTask) and on Facebook.  

¹Teens Spending 'Astounding' Nine Hours a Day in Front of Screens, by Maggie Fox and Erika Edwards, NBC NEWS

SOURCE PassTask, LLC

Amy Thompson, FleishmanHillard, [email protected], [phone], http://www.topsbalance.com