Personally speaking, no apps helped me beat procrastination. What actually helped me a lot is figuring out that I am unhappy and depressed in my life and why is that. Once I figured that out I set for big changes, and stopped caring a lot for things that made me unhappy. I appreciated things I got, I started going on trips around the world and met my wife. After being happy in life I found my self in a very positive mood and very keen to explore things and not just sit in-front of a computer browsing youtube or other things that didn't help me in life.
Another thing that helped me a lot, although am a software engineer and I write code for a living, I said I'll only use computers, phones and whatsoever while I am at work. When am off work I am completely off tech, including TV. That forces me to enjoy time with my wife and go out do things, workout etc. Now of course this might not work if your goal is to make research or I don't know create app's per se or your own company. Although making sure that your hobby, goals, work whatever that is only takes part of your time a day and not the whole day tends to help into having a balanced life.
Good luck.
Edit: also something I forgot to mention those apps you mentioned might work for some people that like task specific programs etc, personally I find it that I couldn't program my life at all, I'd rather having it in a natural flow than having appointments with life, but thats just me, I see people that are quite happy with having a schedule.
I absolutely agree with you. I downgraded to a smart phone that only runs maps and has a camera and this has forced me to semi switch off tech when I'm away from my computer. My friends think I'm crazy (mostly because I'm a developer who doesn't have a "smart" phone).
I'm genuinely curious to know what phone or plan you use that only runs maps and camera. Google Maps or soemthing like openstreet map? I'm looking to do something similar. Any info would be appreciated.
I did this also. Switched from a best of breed Android phone, to a Blackberry.
Yes. A Blackberry. One of newer ones that runs BB10. It supports just enough to enable me to read mail, and message my friends, but there are hardly any useful apps for it, and most of the Android apps that you try to install on it barely work either.
Added bonus - The built in Facebook app no longer works either.
End result, the Blackberry sits in my pocket 99% of the time. My phone is now a tool again, and not a distraction.
It's perfect for me - but your mileage may vary, of course.
Edit: like Fratlas, I also get about 2-3 days of usage out of one charge.
It's an iPhone 4 with a broken mic which I got for free. It's too old to run a lot of distracting apps (VSCO, Snapchat etc) and I can't call people. I have a $20/month (AUD) prepaid plan for 1GB data which gets me through easily. I guess it can only figuratively run maps/camera, but it's enough to keep me from using it 24/7. Battery also lasts several days because I use it so little.
I use and iPhone 4 (conveniently my mic is also broken) and I am not upgrading since I get /so/ much use of it. I feel it can run everything I would want from a smart phone.
My battery lasts like 10 minutes though, and the camera is kind of broken.
I swear every iPhone 4 has their home button and mic broken eventually. I think the battery life dives dramatically after some point which I haven't reached. Will probably upgrade after that happens.
Actually the mic works, I just get/give no sound when in a call. Works perfectly everywhere else. Home button works as well, but I mainly use something like Assistive Touch anyways.
lol, I do something similar. I've had to add a few apps finally for various reasons, but I basically just use my phone as a phone, I have email just so I have calendar reminders, and will occasionally do light web browsing when stuck waiting in lines (checking HN of course). Pretty much all notifications are turned off so that it's not distracting.
The funny bit for me, is I work for the phone company, on the data/signaling networks running the phones, and I barely use my cell.
Agree with you, one of the first thing for me to beat procrastination was to stop wasting time on useless things like checking facebook/twitter every 5 mins and getting rid of the FOMO completely, this is easier said that done, but feels great once achieved. i removed facebook and twitter from my phone, put your phone to Do not disturb and suddenly i have all the time in the world. I use this time to think/plan and create efficient habits/methodologies to beat procrastination.
Another thing that helped me a lot, although am a software engineer and I write code for a living, I said I'll only use computers, phones and whatsoever while I am at work. When am off work I am completely off tech, including TV. That forces me to enjoy time with my wife and go out do things, workout etc. Now of course this might not work if your goal is to make research or I don't know create app's per se or your own company. Although making sure that your hobby, goals, work whatever that is only takes part of your time a day and not the whole day tends to help into having a balanced life.
Good luck.
Edit: also something I forgot to mention those apps you mentioned might work for some people that like task specific programs etc, personally I find it that I couldn't program my life at all, I'd rather having it in a natural flow than having appointments with life, but thats just me, I see people that are quite happy with having a schedule.