Healthier Gizmo Deployment May Spark Obsession
A sudden interest in our health and wellbeing emerged as a key theme of last week’s Google developer conference and caused a mixed reaction.
The annual bash for partner organisation boffins was used to announce a new Google Wellbeing toolset to encourage people to make less use of their devices.
Whilst being founded on common sense (because overuse of smartphones, tablets and laptops can potentially lead to anything from repetitive strain injury to obsession, social isolation and relationship breakdown) the news was also a cue for much cynicism and derision.
Industry hacks were quick to snort that a goal of reducing screen dependency flies in the face of everything that Google stands for.
It was suggested that this was a cheap ploy to look well-intentioned at a time when then big players, particularly rivals Facebook, are under the cosh.
We should not worry regarding harvesting and use of our data, because Doctor Google is looking after us!
So, what is the prescription for heathier gizmo deployment?
Apparently, it is the ability to track usage and set limits.
The new Android P will have a Dashboard to show how many times a device has been unlocked, how much time has been spent in each app and how many notification have been received during a day.
It will encourage us to set limits where we are spending too much time and will fade the screen to greyscale when the time runs out.
It will also provide the ability to set ‘Do Not Disturb’ by turning a phone face down.
My question is, though, will there be a risk of becoming unhealthy obsessed with this new Dashboard?
