Menthal is the name of a new app on Android that lets the user keep a track on his or her usage of the smartphone. Developed by a team of researchers from the University of Bonn, Menthal app has come to life as a result of the hard work of the group of computer scientists and psychologists headed by assistant professor Alexander Markowetz, who believe that integrating technology with science can help us understand human behavior. So, what does Menthal app really do? Well, it gives you feedback on how much time you spend on your phone and which apps do you use the most. This makes you understand and analyze your digital life and in-turn let's you take decisions based on it.

Menthal app has been designed to track the full range of interaction between you and your phone. It will sit on your phone and run in the background all the while recording data about every time you unlock your phone, every time you start an app, and every time you receive a call. This data is sent to the data vault once a day. User of the app can then browse this aggregated information, and interpret it in the context of his or her lifestyle. This data just goes to say how badly you are addicted to your smartphone.


The research work done by the team till now suggests that popular social messaging app WhatsApp contributed to about 15%, Games about 13% and Facebook about 9% of the time. The team is working on finding out "How much is Too much?" for smartphone usage. Take a look at the promotional video about Menthal app -