Google has introduced a new Android feature designed to combat doomscrolling, alongside a host of other updates and products. The tool, called “Pause Point,” forces users to pause before opening certain apps, promoting more intentional screen time.
How Pause Point Works
Users can select specific apps that will trigger a 10-second delay before they open. During this pause, Google suggests users ask themselves, “Why am I here?” The company explains: “During that pause, you can do a short breathing exercise or set a timer so you don’t spend too much time scrolling. You can also look at some favorite photos or jump to alternative app suggestions, like an audiobook.”
Google noted that existing features like app timers or total lockouts are not always practical. “Sometimes you need something in the middle that encourages app use with clear intention,” the company said.
Turning Off Pause Point
While users can enable the feature on specific apps, disabling it is not straightforward. To turn off Pause Point, users must restart their phone. Google says this design helps people “stop and think before disabling” the feature, reinforcing mindful habits.
Googlebook: A Chromebook Overhaul
The announcement coincided with a major update to the Chromebook line, now rebranded as Googlebook. This new laptop is described as a “rethink” of what a laptop can be, built around Gemini, Google’s suite of artificial intelligence tools.
“Over 15 years ago, we introduced the Chromebook, a laptop built for a cloud-first world,” Google stated. “Now, as we are moving from an operating system to an intelligence system, we see an opportunity to rethink laptops again.” The Googlebook integrates AI deeply into the user experience, aiming to leverage Gemini for enhanced productivity and personalization.
