Google releases 3 smartphone addiction countermeasure apps for Android

Written By mobilephonebrand

On January 21, Google released two "Digital Wellbeing" apps "Activity Bubbles" and "Screen Stopwatch" on the Google Play store. The day before, we also released "Envelope" that you can download, print out, and use. It is part of "Experiments with Google," an initiative that introduces the technology that the company is experimenting with.

Activity Bubbles is an app that adds bubbles to your home screen every time you unlock your smartphone. Bubbles swell in proportion to the time from unlocking to turning off the screen. If you use it too much, the screen will become full of bubbles, and the aim is to be aware of overuse. The bubbles will be reset in one day.

Google、Android向けスマホ中毒対策アプリ3本を公開

Screen Stopwatch is an application that displays the cumulative time when the smartphone is unlocked on the home screen. Again, the time will be reset in one day.

Envelope is not an app, but an envelope for smartphones that you print out and assemble. Currently, it only supports the Pixel 3a.

There are two types, one that allows you to make and receive calls only, and one that allows you to only take pictures and videos.

Envelopes that allow only phone calls (left) and envelopes that allow only shooting

In each case, having to break the seal to use more than possible functions may act as a restraint.

This is not published on the Google Play store in Japan, but the PDF can be downloaded from the dedicated site.