Android update delivers new ‘Bedtime’ features focused on improving sleep – ProWellTech

At the 2018 I / O developer conference from Google, the company presented a new suite for “digital well-being”, which is intended to help Android users better manage their screen time. At the event in 2019, the functions of the tools were expanded and the corresponding parental controls improved. Although Google I / O will not take place this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the company is updating its well-being toolset again. This year, the focus is on the right time as Google will introduce new bedtime tools to help people sleep better.

Google reports that sleep-related searches such as “insomnia” and “can’t sleep” have increased in April and May, as the coronavirus crisis has led to increased stress and anxiety that can disrupt sleep.

Android’s “Bedtime” mode, formerly referred to as “Wind Down,” uses “Do Not Disturb” to mute calls, text, and notifications, while grayscale hides your phone’s colors in black and white to keep the drawing on your Decrease screen. With the updates to this feature, Google is making it easier to customize when and how bedtime mode is activated.

Based on your bedtime schedule, you can now set it to turn on automatically after your phone is connected to the charger. You can also add bedtime mode to your Android phone’s Quick Settings to turn it on or off instantly with a single keystroke. If you need a few more minutes, you can pause bedtime mode without having to adjust your schedule.

The update for Digital Wellbeing, which included the option to automatically activate bedtime mode when charging the phone and add it to the quick settings, was introduced in early May. But Google is announcing the features today as part of its other changes in bedtime mode.

The watch app for Android is also updated with a new “Bedtime” tab.

Here you can set the daily sleep and wake times. In the app, you can preview your calendar for the next day and then determine the total number of hours of sleep that you would get. This way, you can adjust your bedtime as needed to keep it in sync with tomorrow’s schedule – even if that means you are deviating from your typical bedtime schedule.

In addition, users get a reminder before bed and have the ability to play soothing sounds from Calm, Spotify, YouTube Music and other sources. If digital wellbeing is installed, they can be paired with bedtime mode to limit the interruptions during sleep.

The app also shows how much time you spend and which apps you used after the set bedtime.

Google also suggested that users looking for a better night’s sleep can try the “Sunrise Alert” option, which gradually brightens your screen so you can wake up more smoothly. This visual alarm system starts 15 minutes before your audio alarm. Users can also set their favorite songs as alarms so as not to disturb the alarm, Google recommends.

The sunrise alarm was the first introduced with the Pixel 3 and Pixel Stand in 2018. With the update, however, you no longer need the stand to be able to use the function. It is part of the new “Bedtime” tab in the watch app.

Google has determined this in the context of today’s introduction of new bedtime features New YouTube bedtime memories have been added recently. It also supports a daily bedtime schedule in the parental control function of Android, Family Link.

As of today, the updated Bedtime experience will first be launched on Pixel devices and will be available later in the summer in the Clock app and on other Android devices. Pixel devices will also get a handful of other updates, including Adaptive Battery.

Pixel 2 devices and newer versions notify the user when the battery is almost empty, while throttling background usage to save life. The excellent recorder app can now be triggered with a “Hey Google” and transcripts can be saved directly in Google Docs.

The Personal Safety App introduced on the Pixel 4 is now available for all devices, while the Pixel 3 receives a car accident detection. There is also a new security review feature that can send alerts in potentially dangerous situations. Via Google:

For example, if you want to run or hike alone, the security check ensures that you made it back safely. If you do not respond to the scheduled check-in, the app will notify your emergency contacts. In the event that you need immediate help or are in a dangerous situation, the emergency release notifies all of your emergency contacts and tells you your location in real time via Google Maps so that they can send or find help.

The personal security app also allows users to set notifications for crises, including natural disasters and other public safety concerns.