You’ll need a Pixel 11 to try Android 17’s new trick to curb mindless scrolling
Google's new Pause Point feature adds a 10-second delay before opening apps you've marked as distracting, but the Digital Wellbeing tool is currently limited to the Pixel 11 series.
Google has unveiled a new Digital Wellbeing feature called Pause Point, designed to curb mindless scrolling on smartphones. The feature adds a 10-second delay before opening apps flagged as distracting, giving users a brief moment to reconsider their decision. Currently, Pause Point is only available on Google's Pixel 11 series running Android 17 and later, although the company has not confirmed a wider rollout.
This is in contrast to Google's messaging, which has been inconsistent in stating the feature's availability. Unlike standard Android app timers, Pause Point intervenes before you've even opened the app, providing a 10-second window to take a breather or switch to another activity. The feature is intentionally difficult to disable, requiring a restart to turn it off entirely.
Additionally, Google has introduced custom vibration patterns for calls and notifications on the Pixel 11 lineup, providing users with more control over their phone's alerts. Furthermore, Android 17 introduces per-app memory limits based on a device's total RAM, aiming to prevent memory-intensive apps from causing UI stuttering or draining battery life.
Motorola is reportedly developing a magnetic wireless charger, the Moto Snap, which could join Apple's iPhone and Pixel devices in adopting magnetic charging technology.
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