Selectively restricting interaction with apps on a digital device

A device, preferably a smartphone, comprising a memory storing a launcher and one or more apps, a processor coupled to the memory, and a connector for communicatively coupling the device to a key device, wherein the processor is configured to perform executable operations comprising:

• selecting a first set of one or more apps and storing information identifying the first set of selected apps with the launcher;
• storing information identifying a key device with the launcher;
• and
• the launcher switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode in response to detecting a connection between the digital device and the key device, wherein in the first operation mode:
• the launcher prevents the apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher blocks notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps;
• and wherein in the second operation mode:
• the launcher does not prevent apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher does not block notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing at least one software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, configured to perform executable operations comprising:

• selecting a first set of one or more apps and storing information identifying the first set of selected apps with the launcher;
• storing information identifying a key device with the launcher;
• and
• the launcher switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode in response to detecting a connection between the digital device and the key device, wherein in the first operation mode:
• the launcher prevents the apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher blocks notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps;
• and wherein in the second operation mode:
• the launcher does not prevent apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher does not block notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps.

A computer program or suite of computer programs comprising at least one software code portion or a computer program product storing at least one software code portion, the software code portion, when run on a computer system, being configured for executing the method steps comprising:

• selecting a first set of one or more apps and storing information identifying the first set of selected apps with the launcher;
• storing information identifying a key device with the launcher;
• and
• the launcher switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode in response to detecting a connection between the digital device and the key device;
• wherein in the first operation mode:
• the launcher prevents the apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher blocks notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps;
• and wherein in the second operation mode:
• the launcher does not prevent apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground;
• and
• the launcher does not block notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps.