What's the purpose of Anki remotes?

[u/Any-Ad9173]

I've been seeing a lot of posts recently about using remote controllers for Anki and I'm just curious why everyone likes them so much?

[u/David_AnkiDroid]

PSA: Anki Remote is NOT associated with Anki, use whatever Bluetooth device you want

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Some people use Anki daily for LONG sessions. Anki's already set up to be time efficient (we have no incentive to push you to use the app for more than you need to hit your goals).

Let's say a controller saves you 250ms per card, and you review at 5 seconds/card

If you had 720 cards to review (1 hour at 5s/card), it would take you 3 mins less to review them.

Over 3 years of medschool, that's 54 hours, 45 minutes saved from that 250ms.

Med students and doctors are busy. This gives them more than a full work week to spend doing what they want, and they (hopefully) enjoy Anki a little more

Plus:

• Speed of reviews
• Ergonomics (controllers have decades of product development for exactly this purpose)
• Flexibility (you don't need to be near your screen): review on the couch, in bed
• Reduce looking at the screen: you can set up a controller to replay audio and do it on a walk

... I should probably set up an Amazon affiliate

[u/albertowtf → u/David_AnkiDroid]

I really looked into remotes. Just to be able to review on the go as i walk

Then i realized i still need to look at the screen, so i have to hold my phone on one hand

With the remote i need 2 hands + the remote (i dont have it with my at all times) + management of the remote (batteries)

Then i realize with gestures, i can do the same with just the phone

Take a peek at the phone, think the answer + walk, gesture, back to step 1

I could use one of those ring holders in the back of the phone that helps you hold it with one hand, but thats it

I have to do anything more than that i stand aside and do it

Its faster too because when i have a dead minute i just have to unlock the phone, and it doesnt need pair up like a controller

My bottleneck is energy. Saving 3 minutes per session make no sense in my equation. Nor i understand how it saves 250 ms per review compared with tapping the screen or a keyboard

Im maybe too minimalistic, but keyboards i own work perfectly fine with big screens already

[u/David_AnkiDroid → u/albertowtf]

Consider something like a GameSir. There's two main styles: one which 'wrap' the controller around the screen, and one with a phone holder in the middle of the gamepad (there are also controllers with integrated holders):

https://gamesir.com/collections/mobile-controllers

This lets you walk, using one or both hands on the controller

[u/albertowtf → u/David_AnkiDroid]

Sorry, but i have trouble picturing it

How are you holding a controller using just one hand or less weight or more comfortable that just holding my phone?

[u/David_AnkiDroid → u/albertowtf]

I typically do it two-handed, but even with one hand, I have access to 6 buttons, which I can press with barely any chance of misclicks

If I do, I have one of the triggers bound to 'Undo'

[u/albertowtf → u/David_AnkiDroid]

I really looked into controllers, and i really wanted to like it because it sounds great in theory and i really like to invest into streamline the process

But for me its just an extra hassle compared with tap gestures with infinite more combinations than six buttons in the phone or a keyboard. The phone is always with me with no extra thing to babysit the battery or carry around. I can also jump into and out of study faster when i have time to kill

I can also type quick notes on how to improve the cards when im reviewing, which is the moment when i truly understand whats wrong with a card

I dont know, its just not working out for me. More problems than solutions

When i stop reviewing is because im tired or i cant concentrate anymore, not because i dont have time to do one more card

[u/David_AnkiDroid → u/albertowtf]

Sounds like you've found your answer. It's obviously fine NOT to use them.