Google wants you to use its phones less - but I'm skeptical
Google is leveraging our poor relationship to technology to sell its new phones - the same relationship it had a hand in creating.
Google has unveiled a new feature called HiLight for its Pixel 11 Pro smartphones, which is designed to help users reduce their screen time and be more present in the moment. Pixel's VP Rick Osterloh expressed frustration with how his phone distracts him, often leading him down rabbit holes of distractions after checking a notification.
Google's solution is to introduce HiLight, a glow on the camera bar that alerts users when an important contact is calling, allowing them to stay informed without constantly checking their home screen. While this feature aims to combat distractions, skeptics question whether Google is genuinely promoting healthy technology use or merely selling agentic AI disguised as minimalism.
The company's emphasis on features like HiLight suggests it may be more interested in selling more devices and collecting more data about users as they increasingly rely on voice commands and AI-driven services.
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