Android Function Reminds Users to Pay Attention to Their Environment

The so-called ‘Heads Up’ function notifies users when they are busy with their phone while walking.

We don’t know how many people run into things or get into traffic accidents because they scroll through their Twitter feed while walking, but apparently, there are plenty of them.

Google has added a new feature to Android Digital Wellbeing. It should give users a popup when they are surfing or are otherwise distracted by their mobile phone while walking around.

The feature is currently being rolled out in beta in the Digital Wellbeing app, a service built into select Android phones. The app allows you to set limits on screen time or disable specific apps to focus on work or sleep. Heads Up come primarily to Pixel phones.

The feature appears to give you a popup telling you to look out, look up, or stay alert. ‘Be careful when using the service. Heads up is not a substitute for watching your environment, ‘says Google, which really has very little confidence in its users.