Are you texting while walking? Google has a message for you- 'Heads Up'

How many times have you hit yourself to an electric pole or bumped into pedestrians because you were too busy staring at your mobile phone? Well, instead of recounting those instances – download Google’s Digital Wellbeing application which includes a feature called ‘Heads Up’ that acts like your walking guide and warns you to look up while walking in public.

The application, which is currently in Beta stage on Google’s Pixel phones, gives an option to manually turn on ‘Heads Up’ option. This will allow your phone to periodically display an alert that reminds you to keep your head up when it detects you’re walking and using your phone simultaneously.

How to set up ‘Heads Up’ feature in your device?

Go to your phone Settings and click on Digital Wellbeing and parental control option. Scan through various options displayed ahead and click on Heads Up. Then follow the setup prompts and grant it permission to monitor your physical activities. This will help the app identify and alert you in situations when you’re walking and using your phone at the same time.

If you own a Google Pixel phone and don’t spot the ‘Heads Up’ feature yet, join the Digital Wellbeing Beta program by downloading and installing it from the Play Store – this will trigger the latest feature on your device.

Previously, Google had also launched ‘Focus Mode’ and ‘Wind Down Mode’ through its Digital Wellbeing initiative to promote digital health.