Google's Android software is getting a new safety feature designed to alert distracted users via a push notification when they're walking and starring at the screen at the same time.
Say Hello to "Heads Up" on Android
The smartphone revolution is threatening to turn the human race into a species of mindless zombie-like creatures glued to their phones, staring at those shiny slabs of glass and metal all the time with total disregard for other fellow humans.
Google is doing its part to help put an end to that dangerous practice with a new Android feature, dubbed Heads Up, designed to stop us from using our phones while walking.
First spotted on Google's Pixel 4a handset and shared on Twitter by Jay Prakash Kamat, a new "Heads Up" entry is found within the "Reduce Interruptions" section of Google's Digital Wellbeing app. An analysis of the software reveals Heads Up is available in version 1.0.342229637.beta of the Digital Wellbeing app, now live on Google's Play Store.
According to XDA Developers, this will be launching on Google's own Pixel smartphone lineup first. Heads Up is currently unavailable on non-pixel Android devices.
How Android’s New Heads Up Feature Works
An illustration in the feature's settings page shows a person crossing the street while using their phone. "Watch your step with Heads Up," reads the feature's description. "If you're walking while using your phone, get a reminder to focus on what's around you."
This new capability requires access to your Physical Activity data and, optionally, Location. Heads Up defaults to being disabled and must be manually turned on. Once successfully configured, the Heads Up feature will issue a push notification when the algorithm detects that you've been actively using your Android phone while walking.
Needless to say, Heads Up will be useless if you disregard the notification.
"Use with caution," Google advises. "Heads Up doesn't replace paying attention." This is still very much a work in progress so there are no guarantees Heads Up will launch publicly.
Available on some Android handsets, Digital Wellbeing provides features to help control and limit your smartphone usage. For instance, you can use Digital Wellbeing to set limits on the amount of time you spend in specific apps with parental controls.
You also get the handy Bedtime and Focus modes along with separate work and personal profiles and so forth. Google has been working on other upcoming Digital Wellbeing initiatives, including Mindful wallpapers and a work profile scheduler.