It was more than seven months ago when Google had first unveiled Datally. For those who missed this unveiling, just know that Datally is a mobile app that helps consumers better monitor, manage, and ultimately save on mobile data. Google fully intended the app to be used in emerging mobile markets, wherein people often depend on prepaid SIM cards, as opposed to unlimited data plans. Google claims that during pilot testing, its Datally app allowed users to enjoy a 30 percent savings on data usage. Recently, the tech giant has revealed that savings are now at 21 percent on average.
Now Google has decided to introduce more upgrades to its Datally service. One notable new feature is the addition of daily limits, which basically lets users control their data usage on a per day basis. The idea here is to have the user start to develop healthy data consumption habits every day, so that by the end of the month, he still gets to enjoy data without worrying about his allowance drying up.
Looking at a bigger picture, Google wants the new daily limits feature to help mobile users get a better idea of how they can personally take steps to combat smartphone addiction, that is if they think they may be spending too much time with their handsets.
The subject of mobile addiction is increasingly attracting discussion nowadays, and thankfully, some of the biggest names in the world of mobile are already starting to take an active role in helping combat excessive phone usage. Of course, Google is one of them -- about a month ago, the company introduced new time management features for Android users, plus new functionalities and tools that should help people silence their handsets or keep their eyes off the screen when it is time to sleep. For good measure, Google also offered a new software that moms and dads can use in order to protect their kids from too much screen time.
Sure, the Datally app is, first and foremost, all about saving data. But one can argue that a user who consumes his data wisely will not be prone to falling to smartphone addiction. The app even has a new feature that allows users to activate a guest mode, wherein they get to control how much data somebody (presumably one who “borrowed” the user’s phone) can consume. Needless to say, this can come handy in households where family members often share each other’s mobile devices.
