# Faking Broken Phones The Play Dead App Keeps Unwanted Hands Away from your Mobile By Matt Ho | Published 2011-07-02 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-dead-app References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5816697/an-app-that-pretends-your-iphone-is-dead-so-people-will-stop-borrowing-it) & [itunes.apple](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/play-dead/id443413925?mt=8#) Suppose you have a 4-year-old who can't keep his hands off your smartphone and you're sick of it -- the Play Dead App will convince him that the mobile is incapable of providing him the joys of Angry Birds. The idea of the Play Dead App for the [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blank-spaces-app) is to have it pretend that the batteries are dying down fast. When you use it, it'll show a blank screen with a loop of the shutdown screen. If you have a friend who has a tendency to drop things and likes to borrow your mobile often, activate the app and show her that your phone is 'dying' and she'll refrain from using it. You'll spare your [smartphone from having additional scratches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unsnatchable-phone-case) and the pains of telling off someone who should know how to handle someone's belongings by now. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Simulated Device Malfunction:** The trend of developing apps that mimic device malfunctions, such as the Play Dead App, offers disruptive innovation opportunities in creating unique user experiences. - **Child-friendly Smartphone Apps:** The trend of designing apps specifically for children, like the Play Dead App, presents disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses targeting parents and caregivers. - **Personalized Device Protection:** The trend of using apps to protect personal devices from accidents or unauthorized use, exemplified by the Play Dead App, offers disruptive innovation opportunities in enhancing device security and user privacy. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Mobile App Development:** The mobile app development industry can embrace the trend of simulated device malfunctions to create new and engaging applications for users. - **Childcare Products:** The childcare products industry can explore opportunities presented by child-friendly smartphone apps, like the Play Dead App, to develop innovative solutions for parents and caregivers. - **Device Protection and Security:** The device protection and security industry can leverage the trend of personalized device protection apps, such as the Play Dead App, to offer advanced security features and privacy enhancements. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Low-Tech Smartphone Interface Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blank-spaces-app.md) - [Smartphone-Concealing Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gatbook.md) - [Minimalist Smartphone Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dumb-phone-app.md) - [Demonic Parenting Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oni-kara-denwa-app.md) - [Minimalist Phone Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dumb-phone1.md) - [Usage-Curbing Smartphone Locks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartphone-lock.md) - [Mindful Smartphone Usage Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intenty-app.md) - [Smartphone Use Reduction Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burnner.md) - [Anti-Distraction Smartphone Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jolt-app.md)