Durex releases app to help people turn their phones off

Following the hype around Durex's big announcement that it was moving into the digital arena earlier this month, the company has revealed the final step in its mission to 'reconnect Kiwi couples' by releasing a smartphone app that synchronises phones to 'sleep together'.

The Durex Connect app allows users to synchronise their phone with their partner's, so that neither can 'renege on the promise of a dedicated, tech-free connection'.

At agreed times, or by spontaneous agreement, the Durex Connect app will mask a phones' home screen, effectively putting the handsets to sleep and removing all distractions.

Earlier this month Durex launched a campaign to show people the impact technology was having on relationships under the guise of the company releasing a 'game-changing' piece of technology. The release was revealed in a video that has since been viewed 40 million times.

"Following a huge response around the globe as well as compelling research by Durham University about the obsessive impact of technology on our relationships (including 40% admitting to answering their phones during sex), Durex saw the need to take their commitment to Kiwi couples one step further and develop an app with a simple solution to turn off mobile devices at the same time," the company says in a statement.

Rachel Bloodworth, head of Public Engagement at WWF-UK, said: "Durex's Connect campaign is a great awareness driver of that need to reconnect, and we hope it inspires people to really think about how much we all need to make the time to stop and enjoy the world around us.

The app is available for free on Android and will be coming soon on iOS.