Google’s latest android update might stop you using your smartphone

Google’s latest android update might stop you using your smartphone

Play all audios:

Loading...

Android users have seen Google push out a new update that brings with it a timely and helpful feature. Android is one of the most used pieces of software in the world, with the Google mobile


OS installed on over 2.5billion devices. Such a huge userbase means any tweaks the Mountain View firm pushes out to Android can have a massive bearing on the lives of scores of people


around the world. And those running Android have just seen a recent update released by Google which could have a hugely positive impact on their lives. In these unprecedented times, a third


of the world's population are believed to be in some form of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. This means much more working from home for those under lockdown, which can make it


more difficult to strike a healthy work / life balance. Key to your digital wellbeing is the amount of time you look at a screen - you don't want to be staring at your laptop all day


and then your smartphone all evening. This would expose you to tonnes of Blue Light from your devices, which has a major bearing on your eye health and how easy it is for you to switch off


at night. Thankfully, Google's latest Android update makes it even easier to ensure you are having a healthy relationship with your devices. The search engine giant has tweaked the


Digital Wellbeing suite in Android and replaced one component of it. Gone is the previous Wind Down mode and its place Bedtime mode has been added. This gives you all the tools you need to


ensure that your smartphone shouldn't be hampering your ability to get a good night's rest. In Android, this mode has the description: "Silence your phone and remove the


screen's colour at bedtime". Tools such as greyscale, Night Light, and Do Not Disturb are all at an Android user's disposal in Bedtime mode. Which you can also schedule for


these features to kick in at a certain time each day via the new Bedtime mode. It's a perfect addition for Android in these times when we could be turning to our devices far more often


than usual as we're spending so much time at home. Google isn't the only one who has pushed out an update to help people maintain a healthy relationship with tech while under


lockdown. Just recently Facebook added a tweak to the social networking site which helps give users a break from the platform. Earlier this month Facebook launched the new Quiet Mode option,


which mutes push notifications and also lets you set time limits for usage. Mark Zuckerberg's firm said Quiet Mode will help users set boundaries while we're spending more time at


home due to the coronavirus. Outlining the feature Kang-Xing Jin, Facebook's Head of Health said: "As we all adjust to new routines and staying home, setting boundaries for how


you spend your time online can be helpful. "Whether it’s to help you focus on your family and friends, sleep without distraction or manage how you spend your time at home, we have tools


that can help you find the right balance for how you use Facebook. "We added Quiet Mode, which mutes most push notifications, and if you try to open Facebook while in Quiet Mode,


you’ll be reminded that you set this time aside to limit your time in the app. "We also added shortcuts to Notification Settings and News Feed Preferences, so you can make the most of


your time on Facebook by controlling the type of posts you see in your News Feed as well as the updates you receive."