From Joyless to Joyride: 64% of commuters look forward to going to work if they revel in immersive entertainment experiences

• Google Pixel has teamed up with best-selling author, Ajay Chowdhury, to create a gamified murder mystery eBook especially for commuters, to celebrate the launch of its new Google Pixel Fold, on-shelf in the UK on August 22nd.
• The eBook is available for anyone to download and enjoy, and commuters can win a fresh off-the-shelf Pixel Fold if they can correctly count how many ‘folds’ are in the book.
• New research reveals that nearly two thirds (62%) of people commute to work at least four or more days a week now, with even more (64%) of them looking forward to consuming content during this time.
• Furthermore, over three quarters (82%) of people are interested in crime/mystery, with more than half (55%) agreeing that consuming this genre has increased their confidence and ability with problem solving.

London, UK, 15^th August  2023 – Google Pixel has teamed up with best-selling crime author, Ajay Chowdhury, to create a new and entertaining, interactive murder mystery eBook designed especially for commuters. New research reveals there is a surge of interest in the crime genre, with a massive 82% of people consuming this on average, and almost a third of commuters (30%) enjoying crime content on their commute.

The latest instalment in Chowdhury’s celebrated Kamil Rahman crime fiction series – The Invitation – is perfect for the commute – and what’s more, it’s free for anyone to download on any device. The gripping, gamified story is optimised especially for foldable devices like the brand new Pixel Fold, available on shelves in the UK from August 22nd.

Consuming Crime on the Commute

Commuting is back, and it’s not all bad. Research shows that 62% of people are now commuting to work at least four or more days a week, and of them 64% look forward to consuming content on their way to work, jumping to 81% among high earners. Chowdhury’s latest short story is perfect for the average commute which research shows takes approximately 32 minutes.

It seems consuming crime really could help catch a killer career! While research shows 82% of people consume crime, this rises to a staggering 88% among high earners. And though 30% of people reveal they are interested in crime and mystery on the commute, this jumps to 43% for high earners, who consume crime because it provides an escape (46%).

Unfolding Problem Solving

The research also reveals that over half (55%) of commuters who consume crime on their way to work believe that it enhances their confidence and problem-solving skills, rising to three quarters (74%) among high earners. TV psychologist and crime expert, Emma Kenny explains how this immersive eBook experience is perfectly designed to have a positive impact on both the brain and work.

Emma Kenny’s Top Tips

According to Kenny, the following 3 tips will set you up for a successful day.

1. Create Your Mindful Morning Routine: Don’t rush straight into work or daily chores first thing, and instead use your commute as a moment to create a mindful morning routine – like listening to a motivational podcast or reading a book. This way, you’re providing a crucial mental distance between your home life and work life.

2. Indulge in Crime Novels: Crime novels engage your analytical thinking and get you mentally stimulated for the day, as you follow clues and attempt to solve mysteries before the characters in the book. Immerse yourself in these intricate plots and make your commute more engaging by listening to audio versions of these crime novels.

3. Hone Your Problem-Solving Skills: Utilise your commute to exercise your problem-solving skills with enjoyable brainteasers or fun puzzles that challenge your brain to think creatively and logically. Regular practice will enhance your innovative reasoning, a skill applicable in many work situations.

Kenny said: “Unfolding or de-stressing during our commute can help support a better work-life balance, avoiding the cognitive strain that’s caused when we restrict our Liminal Space. Entertaining and immersing themselves in this new eBook will allow commuters to do this in the most enjoyable and effective way”.

The Invitation

The new eBook –  The Invitation –  offers a fun and interactive 20-minute read, ideal for filling the average commute. Embedded with puzzles designed to stimulate and challenge, the eBook is optimised for the Pixel Fold – Google’s first foldable phone.

Chowdhury’s story plunges readers into London’s Brick Lane, following characters Anjoli and Kamil as they decipher clues to find a killer. As the eBook unfolds, commuters are encouraged to crack the puzzles designed to both stimulate and challenge.

Author of the short fiction story, Ajay Chowdhury, said: “It’s amazing how crime stories not only capture our imaginations, but also engage our minds as we try to beat the detective to the solution. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Google Pixel to bring this interactive eBook to life and lead commuters on a mysterious journey through London’s multicultural East End.”

What’s more, commuters have the chance to win a fresh-on-the-shelf Pixel Fold, Google’s first and much anticipated foldable phone worth £1749 – perfect for consuming entertainment, books and games – if they can correctly count how many ‘folds’ are in the book.*

Andrea Zvinakis, Android Product Manager at Google, said: “The Google Pixel Fold, the first foldable engineered by Google, is truly the perfect commutable companion. The commute has become a precious space post-pandemic – with many using their time to consume their favourite multi-media content on their journeys to work. With the huge immersive display when opened, the Pixel Fold makes watching and reading even more pleasurable, which is why we teamed up with Ajay Chowdhury to offer up a free e-book full of intrigue, drama, games and easter eggs – designed for commuters especially. Those who enjoy the full-screen reading experience would particularly enjoy this on a Pixel Fold.”

Commuters can download their free copy at theinvitation.ajaychowdhury.com  before they head underground and immerse themselves in a thrilling tale set in London’s East End, with no extended WIFI access needed.

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*Terms and conditions apply. See ajaychowdhury.com for details of how to enter.

Research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Google Pixel who surveyed 2,008 Nationally representative commuters from the UK, including 200 who have an Income of £100,000 (Weighted by Gender and Age) between 22/06/2023 – 26/06/2023.

About Google Pixel Fold

Introducing Pixel Fold, the first foldable phone engineered by Google. All the power of the Google Tensor G2 chip – in a thin, pocket-sized design. It’s a Pixel phone on the outside. And a big, immersive display on the inside for movies, photos, work and multitasking. So you can do even more, in so many ways. Pre-order on the Google Store today, available on-shelf from 22 August in the UK.