Google unveils Heads Up for Pixel phones — we can no longer be trusted to walk

(Image credit: Tom'due south Guide)

Google has a new feature for Pixel phones in the latest Digital Wellbeing beta. Aptly named "Heads Upwardly," this volition remind yous to expect upwardly from your telephone while you're out walking, hopefully ensuring that you avert some accident.

Heads Up is rolling out at present to Digital Wellbeing beta users. If you pay attention to effectively details that go in the Android earth, you might remember hearing well-nigh this back in November when XDA Developers (via Android Central) uncovered it. However, Google took its fourth dimension to make sure that this feature worked properly.

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The reminder notification volition pop up to tell you to pay attention to your environs, though Google notes that Heads Up is non a replacement for actually being aware of what'due south around you. While it has applied benefits in keeping yous from bumping into other people or objects, it could also salvage your life if you're crossing the street.

Digital Wellbeing add "Heads Up", a feature that warns you to cease using your phone while yous're walking. @xdadevelopers @thetymonbay @XDA_Forum_Admin @thetymonbay moving-picture show.twitter.com/5pEEgwuTMpApril 11, 2021

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If you own a Pixel and yous're on the Digital Wellbeing beta, you can access Heads Up from the Reduce Interruptions department in the app settings. Once enabled, you'll have admission to some of the permissions the feature needs, like location and concrete activity.

To join the beta, merely head to the app'due south listing in the Play Store, scroll down, and tap the join beta push button. Yous'll be enrolled and it'll have a few minutes for the store to send you lot the beta update file. You'll be asked to update Digital Wellbeing and you should be good to become from there.

Again, this is limited to Pixels for now, but we're certain that it'll roll out to the best Android phones before long. For now, we trust that you can pay attention to your surroundings on your ain. Nosotros all ought to exist more than aware of what's around united states while we mindlessly walk while using a smartphone.

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Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over five years and plans to go on for a long while to come. He loves nothing more relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Jordan tends to lurk on social media, but yous can best reach him on Twitter.