Get Paid For Looking at Your Android Lock Screen with Locket

Users looking to make some quick cash off of their Android device now have a new approach available to them in addition to selling their device outright. With Locket, Android users can monetize the lock screen of their device.

Created by a start-up of the same name,Locket for Android allows users to monetize their device by replacing their lock screen with the application. Locket’s screen surfaces display advertisements every time the user goes to unlock their device.

Each time that device is unlocked, the Locket service pushes another advertisement to the device and then pays the user 3 cents. If they’d simply like to bypass the advertisement because it’s something they are particularly interested in, the user can slide their finger to the right side of the unlock screen. If the ad is for something that is interesting, they can slide their finger to the left and learn more about the product. Even if a user doesn’t engage with the advertisement, they are still paid the 3 cents bounty. According to Locket’s website, users are paid the three 3 cents per unlock, three times per hour.

When users are ready to take their cash out, Locket will allow them to transfer the money they’ve earned to a PayPal account of their choice. From there, they are free to deposit it into their bank account or use it towards a PayPal gift card. Users can also donate the money to charity as a way to give back. In order to do either, users will need to amass at least $10.

In addition to their standard 3 Cents per unlock rate, users can earn a dollar for every user they invite to the service who signs up during the open Beta.

Locket is only available to Android users in the United States for now. In our time with the application, we found the advertisements to be mostly unobtrusive and tastefully executed. Locket’s website notes that it’s partnered with a few large companies like Bombfell, Domino’s Pizza and Sears.

All told, the concept isn’t that far away from what Amazon does with its Special Offers program for the Kindle eReaders and tablets. Though, as Locket will work on all Android devices, it might be able to take the idea a little further.