Google has already begun to deploy a new Digital Wellbeing function that seeks to protect users who do not take their eyes off the mobile screen.
Google launches new Android feature to stop you from looking at your phone while walking
It is a function that joins the other suggestions provided by Google to limit the time we spend on the mobile, but with an extra objective.
Digital Wellbeing is the Google application that comes preinstalled on Android phones and has a set of interesting features. You can set sleep mode, concentration mode, set goals for screen usage time, timers for apps, among other options.
And now it adds a new feature that aims to take care of the user when he is on the street. Yes, those users who have the habit of walking glued to the phone in “zombie mode”. This new feature is called “Heads Up”, and using the device’s sensors, it will detect if the user is moving in a position that betrays that he is looking at the mobile.
When that happens, the user will see a notification on the phone as a tug of war, with a message suggesting to avoid using the device while walking. Of course, it will be a function that can be disabled or configured according to our needs.
Digital Wellbeing add "Heads Up", a feature that warns you to stop using your phone while you're walking. @xdadevelopers @thetymonbay @XDA_Forum_Admin @thetymonbay pic.twitter.com/5pEEgwuTMp
— jay (@jay__kamat) April 11, 2021
As shown by Jay Prakash Kamat in the screenshots, this feature will also require many permissions to be enabled, for example, controls for physical activity and location. So each user will have to decide whether to enable these permissions or enable notifications for this feature.
At the moment, this feature is being implemented in the Digital Wellbeing beta that is already coming to Pixel phones. So those who want to try this dynamic, and have a Google mobile, will have to join the Digital Wellbeing beta program.
And the rest of us will have to wait for Google to extend this new feature to the rest of the mobile devices. Of course, users do not need to wait for this feature to stop the bad habit of walking glued to the mobile, but it can be a constant reminder for them not to forget its importance.