We shipped this quarter ⛵️ — and we're just getting started.
2025 is shaping up to be extraordinary. Powerful forces are reshaping our world:
On one side, artificial intelligence is unlocking possibilities we could only dream of —expanding our potential in ways we're only beginning to grasp. On the other, distractions are multiplying: more content, more devices, more noise, and a more pressure to keep up.
These forces converge to reveal a simple truth: Focus is no longer just a skill—it's a superpower, and mastering this skill has never been more essential ("the skill of the century" according to Nir Eyal).
There has never been a more important time to master the skill of focus.
We see awareness rise across age groups and geographies, starting with teenagers and their parents - with research and practical tips receiving strong media exposure (in particular these past months from Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation), and artists writing stories that resonate with wide audiences like Netflix show Adolescence by Jack Thorne et Stephen Graham.
With 5 billion smartphones owners in the world today, we're entering our next phase with clarity and ambition: to bring the power of focus to 1 billion people around the world.
Focus is what allows us to use technology without being used by it. But it’s not easy. It’s not something you simply have—it’s something you build. It takes effort, intention, and the right tools.
At Opal, our mission is simple: help humans focus better. In the process, we are helping align computers with human potential.
Over the past year, we’ve taken big steps toward that mission. We grew our team, launched powerful new features, brought Opal to more people on Mac—and we’re preparing to launch on Android. We’ve also been listening to your feedback, which has helped shape everything we’re building.
Today, I’m proud to introduce you to what’s new since our last Keynote back in January. You can get the full experience in our latest video right here, but here’s a quick look:
Laura, one of our gems, said:
“I’ve been using Opal for a couple months and it feels the same—I’d like to feel I’m making progress.”
That really stuck with us.
So we redesigned the Opal Profile to help you see your progress clearly. Your streak tracks every day you showed up, complete with a beautiful calendar view. If you miss a weekday, it resets—but weekends don’t count. Your focus hours show how much time you’ve reclaimed since starting.
Personally? I’m on a 31-day streak with over 4,000 focus hours logged. I’m just about to unlock the 5,000-hour mythical gem—only 2% of users ever get there. These milestones aren’t just stats—they’re a reminder that focus is a skill you’re building every day.
Focus isn’t just numbers—it’s momentum. We designed the Streak Flame to capture that energy. Inspired by the Latin word focus—meaning hearth or fireplace—it flickers when you focus, stays lit when you’re consistent, and fades if you lose your rhythm (but don’t worry, you can always bring it back).
Amar told us:
“Doing things together makes everything easier… I picked up my running habit by doing it with friends.”
We hear you, Amar. That’s why we built Leaderboards.
Now you can see how you stack up against others—top 3 get gold, silver, or bronze, and yes, you get bragging rights. You can also nudge your friends to keep them in the game. We’ll soon add private groups so you can track progress with your school, family, or accountability crew.
Lindsay from our forum said:
“I’d love to use this app on my computer while I’m working—what do you think?”
We think yes.
The Mac app is now better than ever. You can:
Whether you're learning how to trim a bonsai or avoiding your 6th scroll break of the day, these tools help you take control.
You can download Opal for Mac here.
Our Focus Gems are the heart of the Opal experience. We just dropped 12 new ones which you can find inside the Opal app, along with physical stickers to decorate your space and remind you to stay present. They’re small, fun, and mighty. You can find them on scrollingkills.us
Opal is built by a small, passionate team. Recently, we welcomed:
We also took a break to hike in the Alps (some of us fell more than skied 😅) and hosted a beautiful community night at the Paris office.
We’re just getting started. In the next few months, we’ll be launching:
As always, we’re building with you. If you have ideas, feedback, or just want to say hi, join us in the Opal Community Forum.
If you made it to the end of this post—or the video—without checking your phone: congratulations. That’s focus. And we’re honored to be building tools to help you protect it.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
📺 Watch the full video update on YouTube
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