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Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

118 points by sus_007 9y ago

dayjah 9y ago
In general, I agree strongly with this sentiment: > What does a healthy, moderate digital life look like? I think that manufacturers and app developers need to take on this responsibility, before government regulators decide to step in As a bicyclist and driver I believe one of the best ways to enact this would be add a feature that allows investigators / insurers to answer the question of “whether the device was I use at the time of an accident”. I’ve taken to yelling “get of your effing phone” at drivers obviously looking down at devices while I’m driving, walking or cycling around; I think the phone doing that would be more efficient.
- TheSoftwareGuy 9y ago
  I really can’t see a way of implementing this without either invading peoples privacy, violating the 5th amendment, making it useless or a combination of those things.
  - Jtsummers 9y ago
    I think it could be done without causing those problems. The device itself can store its usage time/location information. Retrieving the information can require a warrant (just like getting anything else off the device ought to). As a black box type device, in this case, the logs should be undeletable by the user. Perhaps a rolling log that wipes itself every week or month (minimal data impact, maximal utility to authorities in cases of accidents and such). By keeping it on the device the privacy concern is partly dealt with. The information is still collected, but no 3rd party has access to it until the user (voluntarily or by court order) provides access to it.
- francisofascii 9y ago
  I agree. Additionally, the rule against using a phone while driving should actually be enforced. It is very much like speeding. Enforcement is practically non-existent so of course everyone continue to do it.
  - dayjah 9y ago
    Agree, outdoor magazine has a detailed piece about this [0], somewhat ironically the author, a friend of mine, was killed recently by a vehicle (an accident; the truck hydroplaned into him while he was fixing a flat) [1]. [0] https://www.outsideonline.com/1930211/bikes-vs-cars-deadly-war-nobodys-winning https://www.outsideonline.com/1930211/bikes-vs-cars-deadly-w... [1] https://www.outsideonline.com/2282551/author-and-cyclist-andrew-tilin-dies-in-collision https://www.outsideonline.com/2282551/author-and-cyclist-and...
- cortesoft 9y ago
  I can see how this would be good at punishing people, but I am not sure how much this would actually change behavior. I think most people who use a cellphone like that think they are being safe, and by the time this 'feature' comes into play they have already had an accident. It might stop repeat offenders, but I am not sure how many people are getting into multiple accidents caused by cellphones.
- cuddlybacon 9y ago
  > I’ve taken to yelling “get of your effing phone” at drivers obviously looking down at devices while I’m driving, walking or cycling around; I think the phone doing that would be more efficient. My iPhone does do that. If it thinks I'm driving, it makes me tap a button that says "I'm not driving." in order to continue.
  - dayjah 9y ago
    This can be turned off in settings; I’d be interested in knowing how many of us have done that (I have mine on).
    - Retric 9y ago
      A fairly large number of people don't drive but have cellphones (Kids, NYC etc). So, I don't think numbers of people who turn it off is going to tell you much.
    - ghostly_s 9y ago
      I turned it off because it kept disabling me when I was on the train (I drive about once quarterly). It's a good start, though.
      - axxl 9y ago
        You can have it only turn on when you connect to a car bluetooth device instead of using motion detection. It also applies if you have one of those bluetooth to auxiliary adapters if you have an older car.
- mulmen 8y ago
  Apple’s existing solution of making the device hard to use while driving seems to be better because it actually prevents the accident in the first place and doesn’t introduce a back door.
- dmm 8y ago
  Here's a great example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I3iNr1myG4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I3iNr1myG4 A driver on her phone strikes a cyclist stopped for a light because the driver cuts the corner and enters the wrong lane. The cyclist is wearing high-viz clothing and uses a very loud horn to alert they driver but the driver just wasn't paying looking.
cryptoz 9y ago
Tony Fadell says, > I think that manufacturers and app developers need to take on this responsibility, before government regulators decide to step in. Tim Cook recently said, "I think the best regulation is no regulation, is self-regulation". And Tony Fadell expresses a similar idea here. That no regulation is the best idea and that companies should "behave" so that the status quo of no regulation continues. But how do they keep these opinions in the face of all the enormous evidence that companies are very specifically designed to be unable to self-regulate? The very structure of a corporation today means it is incentivized to sneak by and almost break as many laws as possible to be short-term profitable. This is incongruent with long-term health, growth, capitalism, and everything else, because it is a strong forcing factor towards very bad corporate behaviour. Constantly lobbying for "no regulation" or to act quickly before those big-bad-regulators come in to protect consumers from poison and addiction makes no sense. Companies will behave badly as long as the law allows it. Suggesting that the companies should behave better while suggesting that there should be absolutely no consequence for bad behaviour legally is a bizarre doubethink. I don't get it.
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  Just wishful thinking. It's true that best regulation is self-regulation, and it's also true that companies in general are unable to self-regulate. A recently discussed clear example of that is privacy in the EU - the original cookie law was a gentle nudge to encourage the market to self-regulate. The market didn't, so now we have GDPR.
  - cryptoz 9y ago
    > It's true that best regulation is self-regulation You take this as a fact, so do the billionare execs at Apple, but it just isn't true. You can define "best" in however way you want to make it true, but any reasonable definition won't let that happen. Best for whom? Best for the billionares? Maybe, but that's not best for the rest of us. Regulation is important in a healthy capitalistic society. Regulation by government, which is theoretically run by elected representatives, is not a bad thing like you suggest it is. It is a steadying hand that helps a market and a society run stably, rather than run amok with fast-paced greed that outpaces ability to sustain itself. The best regulation is not regulation that the hundreds of millions of people in the USA are not even allowed to know exists because it is a corporate secret. No, that is not the best regulation. The best regulation is carefully written, sustainable, fair, reasonable regulation written with unbiased industry experts, the population itself, the government itself. Trusting the most elite, rich class of secretive billionaries in the world to self-regulate is not the "best regulation", not even for them. They will get more money if they just agreed and allowed normal government processes to continue without their lobbying and interference to create a no-regulation environment that wreaks havoc on the rest of society.
LeicaLatte 9y ago
Legitimizing smartphone addiction is the main reason why Apple will never put a dark mode in iOS. Atleast I hope they don't. It has never been a personal problem (I am carrying my own bunch of bad habits) but I hate watching friends, partners constantly checking their phones in the night.
- ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
  What do you mean by 'dark mode'? I turned my screen black and white, which supposedly lessens the addictiveness. You can also invert the colors for cool matrix like effect... if you are into 90's Winamp Themes.
  - giggles_giggles 9y ago
    Modern Android has a f.lux-like effect where it changes the colors on your screen to be warmer so they don't affect your sleep as much. I assume that's what he means by 'dark mode' (it's 'night mode').
    - bethling 9y ago
      iOS has something similar - called 'Night Shift'. I think he's talking about having a theme that is a dark background rather than a light/white one, though.
      - LeicaLatte 9y ago
        Yes a lot of apps provide a night/dark mode as an in app purchase. Convenient, yes. Addicting, yes++. You mentioned Night Shift and I think it actually is a great compromise.
    - hawski 9y ago
      Where is the setting? I have Nexus 5x and I remember that there was night mode, but it was never exposed in settings. It was only available on 7.0.
- 9y ago
whitepoplar 9y ago
I think smartphone use has split into two paths: utility and "discovery." Utilities are the tools we use every day, the tools we want to be stable, fast, and (relatively) unchanging. E.g. sms, maps, browser, phone, camera, email. "Discovery" is all the new, unstable, changing stuff. I think there's an enormous market for a utility smartphone...and it doesn't even have to be a smartphone. Something between an old Nokia and an iPhone, but still a precision-crafted, luxury device.
- rock_hard 9y ago
  I don't think sms, maps, browser, phone, camera, email are the apps most people use though. Wikpedia(1) says in the US its actually: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, YoutTube, Google Maps, Google Search, Google Play, Gmail, Instagram, Apple Music and Amazon For other countries you just have to swap out Messenger for Whatsapp and such...but otherwise its basically the same. Mind you this includes preinstalled apps! So I'd say if anything, someone should build a Facebook phone, without all the other crap like phone, email and sms apps :) (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_smartphone_apps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_smartphon...
  - kristofferR 9y ago
    That list doesn't include non-downloadable apps. I can guarantee that the browser is more used for googling than the Google Search app, for example.
    - rock_hard 9y ago
      that would be odd since the list includes Google Play and Apple Music, which are both preinstalled apps. Maybe you are overestimating how much people use the browser at scale?
- DisruptiveDave 9y ago
  I used to be obsessed with a "dumb phone" that didn't quite have the utility features you described years ago. I think it was called John's Phone? Loved the idea, but hated the thought of owning two different phones.
olivermarks 9y ago
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tony-fadell-apple-iphone-addiction-control-design http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tony-fadell-apple-iphone-addi... The actual UK article TechCrunch is basing its summary on
- sctb 9y ago
  Thanks! We've updated the link from https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/16/tony-fadell-is-worried-about-smartphone-addiction/ https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/16/tony-fadell-is-worried-abo....
brandon272 9y ago
I have to wonder - what is staring at our phones all day doing to our necks? And are we going to have an epidemic of debilitating cervical spine issues pop up 10 or 20 years from now?
- physicsyogi 9y ago
  They're calling it "text neck". https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/20/text-neck-is-becoming-an-epidemic-and-could-wreck-your-spine/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/2...
- majormajor 9y ago
  I don't really know that I stare at my phone any more than I used to stare at books/magazines/newspapers. So I'm screwed either way.
- matte_black 9y ago
  I frequently see children bend their necks at a full 90 degrees to stare mindlessly at an iPad rested on their laps. I would not be surprised if they grow up to have spinal issues. Parents don’t seem to care.
- Broken_Hippo 8y ago
  Likely something similar to staring at artwork all day... or paperwork, a book, badly-positioned television. Or a car engine (especially if you generally do work from above instead of below). Or anything else you look down at for hours at a time.
jf 9y ago
With the Apple Watch with LTE, Apple _is_ tackling the issue of smartphone addiction. I've been using my Apple Watch as my sole form of communication for 3 months now, it's great.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- graeme 9y ago
  Does Siri understand you well, or do you have any cases where you have to scribble, send typos, etc? What do you do for taking notes? Do you have a system for processing later on a phone or a computer? Any apps like whatsapp where you can't initiate a message? How do you get around it? Do you carry a phone? If not, do you carry a camera? I'm interested in doing the same myself.
  - jf 8y ago
    > Does Siri understand you well, or do you have any cases where you have to scribble, send typos, etc? Siri works pretty well in most situations. It doesn't work great when I'm in locations with spotty WiFi and LTE. Siri also doesn't work well when I'm in meetings or on the bus, so I scribble in those situations. I really wish I could use Palm's "Graffiti" instead of writing out the letters, it would be so much faster! I also do send typos sometimes. > What do you do for taking notes? Do you have a system for processing later on a phone or a computer? I do not have a system for taking notes on my phone or watch. I use org-mode for my notes so I carry my computer around with me at work as a portable org-mode system. > Any apps like whatsapp where you can't initiate a message? How do you get around it? I don't use Whatsapp, but I do use Signal and not being able to initiate a message is very frustrating. I end up using iMessage in those situations, which isn't ideal. I hope that Signal makes an Apple Watch app. > Do you carry a phone? If not, do you carry a camera? I don't carry a phone for 5-6 days out of the week. At this point, I only take my phone with me if I want to have a "GPS" or a camera. I do miss having a camera, but it's a small price to pay for being free from the constant distraction of a phone.
olivermarks 9y ago
An Apple cash cow is financializing your personal data via a vast sprawling ecosystem http://www.visualcapitalist.com/personal-data-ecosystem/ http://www.visualcapitalist.com/personal-data-ecosystem/ To pick Up Faddell's analogy, this is like letting big sugar regulate itself. It doesn't and has spent millions pushing red herrings like 'low fat' to protect its profit machine. In a parallel universe 'How to take on Big Sugar and win' 'Camilla Cavendish, the initiator of the UK’s tax on sugar, says it’s time to start treating it as nicotine' https://www.ft.com/content/6be1a340-3e3d-11e8-b9f9-de94fa33a81e https://www.ft.com/content/6be1a340-3e3d-11e8-b9f9-de94fa33a... Money is the only language the tech platform barons speak too, despite all the posturing...
- mattkrause 9y ago
  This seems more like a criticism of Facebook or Google.
lord_ring_11 9y ago
Is it really smart phone adiction or adiction to facebook and other apps?
lkrubner 9y ago
The Cali Cartel needs to tackle the issue of cocaine addiction —- but don’t hold your breath.
- thirduncle 9y ago
  Exactly. The addictiveness of smartphones isn't a "byproduct" of these devices. It is the product.
  - asfgionio 9y ago
    Bear in mind that Apple keeps 30% of App Store revenue, which is tens of billions of dollars a year. If they just sold the hardware they wouldn't care at all how much users use it, but if users are on their phones for hours on end it's more likely they'll spend money on apps.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
DonaldPShimoda 9y ago
Something that I don't know if they've mentioned specifically in public was that the Apple Watch was partly designed to deal with smartphone addiction. I don't have a citable source handy here, so it's just my word, but when I interned with Apple last year there were a few "town hall" events where interns could ask questions of senior management (Cook, Ahrendts, Cue, Maestri, etc). At one of them (I think the Tim Cook one but I'm not 100% certain) someone asked about smartphone addiction. He pointed out that the Apple Watch actually plays a role. It gives you a tap when you get a notification, but the tap isn't too intense and doesn't go for more than a moment. In user studies, they found that people were much more likely to simply dismiss notifications from the Watch than if they weren't wearing one. The effect of this was that people weren't unlocking their phones as often, and by merely avoiding unlocking the phone people were not as tied to using it. It used to be the case for me that I would get a notification, unlock my phone and attend to the notification, and then immediately afterwards open Reddit or Facebook or something because, well, I was already on my phone so why not? Since getting an Apple Watch, I've noticed I do this much less. Maybe part of it is that I'm more cognizant of the problem, but another part is that it's much easier to simply disregard the notifications since they're more fleeting now. I'm sure this sounds like a sales pitch for the Watch to some people, but I don't mean it that way. I just thought it was very interesting when Cook (I think) pointed out that this was a deliberate consideration with the Watch and then I was able to anecdotally confirm its effectiveness myself. I wish I had an actual source to cite for this, but notes are forbidden in the town hall events.
- p1esk 9y ago
  Regardless of whether they intended it or not, smartphone addiction was one of two reasons I bought Apple Watch (the other reason being I don't like to carry something in my hand or pockets, just to be within reach). Well, a distant third reason is that voice recognition is finally good enough for basic text messaging.
- vinniejames 9y ago
  This argument seems to imply the opposite, taking the "addicting" notifications and strapping them to your wrist doesn't exactly reduce the behavior. Most studies show any addicting effect is directly tied to the dopamine release from receiving the notifications. The decreased frequency in unlocking the phone is simply moved to your arm. Just bought a smart watch over the weekend, I'll keep you posted ;)
gldev3 9y ago
Why does this has to be an issue with the companies ? It's the same thing with videogames after some time you'll get a message like " You have been playing for XX Hours, we reommend that you take a break. " and it's understandable but if it's not smartphones people will get addicted to something else. This is more of a culture issue that should be addressed in schools from an early age ( at least in my opinion ).
studycity 9y ago
Three years ago I posted this... Any suggestions how to tie iPad entertainment time to Khan academy progress? Does anything like this already exist? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9299697 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9299697 A few days ago Apple approved my app that does exactly that. Currently it is free. Search the iOS store for StudyCity. I am very grateful to Apple for approving my app. When you make a "unique" app, there is no guarantee that Apple will approve it. FYI, my project email is support@dnslearning.org The website is StudyCity.org
exodust 9y ago
This article.... where to begin. Firstly this isn't an "Apple problem". Their smartphone product is one of many. We also see plenty of non-smartphone digital addictions. It's not about smartphones either. And then this: "You should be able to see exactly how you spend your time and, if you wish, moderate your behaviour accordingly." If anyone needs to use an app to check whether they're spending too much time looking at apps, then it's game over. If we need to regularly consult a computer to determine how to live our lives without consulting the computer too much, it's game over. Is society really in this much trouble, that people are writing articles asking for tech giants to save us from tech products? In so many ways that is like giving up as a thoughtful being, formerly in control of your own life and decisions, but now admitting you are merely a fish. Worse than a fish because of what you've lost. You once had organic direction and intuition, but now have an app for that.
perseusprime11 9y ago
If we can hold Facebook accountable for our data, there is no reason why we can't make Apple responsible for our behavior. Apple blames others for addiction, but I think it is time they recognize the damage they are doing to people's minds. In another decade, I am sure there will be sizeable longitudinal survey's pointing to smartphones and people's psychological problems.
j45 9y ago
A tool like RescueTime helps segment one's use of devices and services - it's pretty insightful in terms of measuring one's "Digital Weight"
mrharrison 9y ago
Why are we so eager to blame companies on HN. I wish people would take ownership for their own actions instead of blaming companies. I can't wait for the article, "Take ownership of yourself, stop blaming others".
gxs 9y ago
I'm such a cynic these days. When I see an article like this, all I can think of is that this is the angle the FBs and Googles of the world will use to give Apple it's own share of social responsibility problems. Hey, yes, we collect all data, but Apple, you really should be doing something about phone addiction. Especially since you, Apple, have "system-level control across devices". Definitely understand how that comes across as conspiracy theoryish, but the timing is too inviting.
chrischen 9y ago
I hope Apple does provide the tools to help users control their usage. If they do, it'll be a prime example of the difference in philosophies (or marketing, if you will) between Facebook and Apple. Facebook would never help you curtail usage or take control of usage. They would want users to be oblivious to what's harming them and enable them, in the name of "engagement".
- collyw 8y ago
  I wish there was an open source alternative to either of those two corporate monsters. I had the Ubuntu phone, but it wasn't great and as many of the apps were web based it was fairly useless when I travelled.
marpstar 9y ago
iOS' "Do Not Disturb While Driving" is a good example of how they're trying. Sure it's touted as a "safety" feature, but it's doing what they need to do: encourage the user not to use their phone all the time.
otabdeveloper2 9y ago
> "Pain killer manufacturers need to tackle the issue of opiate addiction" Looks like they already have, lol (all the way to the bank).
agitator 9y ago
I don't get why people think that this is apple's problem. Do a better job of parenting. Have some self discipline. There are so many products in this world that take advantage of our biology. The iPhone is just one. And it's currently being obsessed over by media outlets. What about all the processed foods making people fat and unhealthy? What about Starbucks selling addictive drugs on every corner and getting away with it? Same with Coca-Cola, why is adding addictive chemicals to a soda that is sold to everyone including children okay? What about television? All of these TV shows coming out are designed to hook you in. Walking my dog every night, I can see everyone just sitting in front of their televisions, wasting time. If you are going to force a company to help people ween themselves from addiction, don't be a hypocrite. You have your own addictions and vices, what makes yours more valid than someone else's. If we are going to make products provide tools to limit their own use, lets do that with all of the addictive products out there, and not single out one company because it's trendy to not be on your phone.
- rock_hard 9y ago
  I also think generalizing smartphone use as “addiction” is a misrepresentation! I have no doubt that some people are addicted to their phones...but just as some people are addicted to Siracha sauce The media needs to chill the fuck out and move on to the next hype cycle...or better (but unrealistic): stop the hype around anything and just go back to reporting actual news
  - tjr225 9y ago
    > I have no doubt that some people are addicted to their phones...but just as some people are addicted to Siracha sauce I don't think _anyone_ is addicted to sriracha in the same way people are addicted to their personal devices. Downplaying this problem is the last thing that should be done.
    - rock_hard 9y ago
      Via Wikipedia: Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.[8] Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process – one which is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus – is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction.[1][9] The two properties that characterize all addictive stimuli are that they are reinforcing (i.e., they increase the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to them) and intrinsically rewarding (i.e., they are perceived as being inherently positive, desirable, and pleasurable). ——— And now go and google Sriracha addiction
himom 9y ago
Have a switch that reduces motion effects and dulls the colors... smartphone dramamine. Otherwise, society is likely to devolve further into ground-lighted sidewalk crossings with distracted people hunched over, oblivious to everyone else and missing life. Tinder: nuf said. [Insert Banksy smartphone lovers gaze pic]
shahbaby 9y ago
The majority of the population has been brain washed into believing that they need a computer that's physically attached to them 24/7. I believe that there is immense value in not having a smartphone. It's a value that can't be packaged into a box and sold for the sticker price. It's the value of being more engaged with your own life and the things that actually matter to you.
- zimpenfish 8y ago
  > It's the value of being more engaged with your own life and the things that actually matter to you. My mother uses her smartphone to connect with family who are far away. Pray tell how that's not being "engaged with her own life and things that actually matter to her"?
tdaltonc 9y ago
I know HN is big on personal responsibility, so here are two tools to help you deal with phone addiction. I made Space http://youjustneedspace.com http://youjustneedspace.com which help with individual apps. An Android launcher called Siempo http://www.getsiempo.com/ http://www.getsiempo.com/ is a more complete app control system.
flyGuyOnTheSly 9y ago
I've been struggling with addiction in various forms for my entire adult life, so I have a decent understanding of it imho. When I first learned what a smartphone was, I knew immediately that I would become addicted to it if I let myself. I simply chose not to get addicted to smartphones by never purchasing one, and it's working out quite well so far. I know they're awesome little nuggets of technology, but I just don't want to be that connected... so I don't own one. For the same reasons that I choose not to continually purchase the latest gaming console. Spending $1,000 on something every 6 months (amortized cost of the smartphone + connectivity charges) that eventually becomes worthless isn't far off from a serious drug or alcohol addiction financially speaking... And now all of my "straight laced" friends can hardly even carry on a casual conversation without looking at their smartphones every few minutes has only reinforced my way of thinking. They use smartphones as passive babysitters for their children when they're on short car rides without hesitation. The look on a 3 year old's mesmerized face as they stare into a tablet disgusts me to no end. I now choose to never own a smartphone. I know they're a detriment to society. Perhaps when I am old, dying, and actually in desperate need of "contact", I'll splurge on one. But until then, I'm perfectly content receiving and composing emails from a full-blown computer with a keyboard... and sending the odd text message through my dumbphone. I work in the tech industry, and refusing to own a smartphone hasn't slowed me down yet!
- rdiddly 9y ago
  Kind of funny that they finally found something to hook the rest of 'em - all the strait-laced people as you say. Many people would never be caught by any of the typical addictions -- Smoking is socially stigmatized, drugs are illegal, alcohol addiction is kinda sorta alittlebit mostly "hereditary" in the loosest sense of the word, gambling for most people requires a long car trip. But a smartphone has none of those limitations. EDIT: I suppose the most widespread addiction is coffee. Still king.
  - collyw 8y ago
    I think it helps to have been addicted (maybe "dependent" is a better word) on something that has been socially stigmatised to see it for what it is. Friends will quite happily point and label it an "addiction" it out to while ignoring their own "habits". (I think I would draw the line between dependence and addiction when it starts affecting your normal life, but again that description is pretty subjective).
exabrial 9y ago
I think I disagree, but in a good way. Apple needs to protect privacy. Google, FB, et all are pushing devices that upload as much information about users as possible. The most recent Apple update resounded with me in that it said 'privacy is a fundamental right'. What Apple needs to tackle is the issue of becoming an advertisement agency.
sxcurry 9y ago
Actually, Apple doesn't "need" to do anything.
soulnothing 9y ago
Is this shifting the blame? It seems people are addicted to smartphones because it's what they want. Or put another way what else draws interest in their life. Which goes to a quality of life aspect. The onus should not be on the manufacturer to address addiction. But instead, provide means to combat addiction. Apple has that notification toggle. What more do we want, auto lock after X hours of usage. This will probably be harsh but how about learn some self-discipline. If a stepping program is needed, then implement that. Like to ween people off. But it shouldn't be a constant. Why are you checking your phone so much? Why aren't you out doing something, or talking to someone? If you don't want to do that, why are you complaining about checking your phone so much. That is to say some people are introverts. They don't want to talk much. The smartphone allows them to better socialize, and keep to their habits. I've noticed since I upgraded to a pixel. I find myself subconsciously pressing the fingerprint authentication while it's in my pocket. Not looking at it, but just pressing it feeling it unlock. I came to this realization the other day. I was reminded of some of my other addictive behaviors. I'm looking at dumber phones now actually. I've recently downgraded in a way. My biggest use of my phone was for music. I grabbed an old iPod nano and put Rockbox on it. Largely leaving my phone in my backpack. I've also eyed the recent Nokia phones.
- malloryerik 8y ago
  Subconsciously pressing the fingerprint authentication in your pocket is reminiscent of... the One Ring... I can relate to your iPod story. For me, smartphone has been mostly for reading. I used Kindle among other apps on my phone. Having recently bought a Kindle my iPhone sits untouched in my pocket.
doggydogs94 8y ago
Worldwide, Google has a much larger market share. Let Google take the lead.
awad 8y ago
Shouldn't the onus be on the developers of the applications sitting on top of the smartphones? We don't chide PC manufacturers for video game addicted kids, do we?

118 points by sus_007 9y ago

In general, I agree strongly with this sentiment: > What does a healthy, moderate digital life look like? I think that manufacturers and app developers need to take on this responsibility, before government regulators decide to step in As a bicyclist and driver I believe one of the best ways to enact this would be add a feature that allows investigators / insurers to answer the question of “whether the device was I use at the time of an accident”. I’ve taken to yelling “get of your effing phone” at drivers obviously looking down at devices while I’m driving, walking or cycling around; I think the phone doing that would be more efficient.

TheSoftwareGuy 9y ago
I really can’t see a way of implementing this without either invading peoples privacy, violating the 5th amendment, making it useless or a combination of those things.
- Jtsummers 9y ago
  I think it could be done without causing those problems. The device itself can store its usage time/location information. Retrieving the information can require a warrant (just like getting anything else off the device ought to). As a black box type device, in this case, the logs should be undeletable by the user. Perhaps a rolling log that wipes itself every week or month (minimal data impact, maximal utility to authorities in cases of accidents and such). By keeping it on the device the privacy concern is partly dealt with. The information is still collected, but no 3rd party has access to it until the user (voluntarily or by court order) provides access to it.
francisofascii 9y ago
I agree. Additionally, the rule against using a phone while driving should actually be enforced. It is very much like speeding. Enforcement is practically non-existent so of course everyone continue to do it.
- dayjah 9y ago
  Agree, outdoor magazine has a detailed piece about this [0], somewhat ironically the author, a friend of mine, was killed recently by a vehicle (an accident; the truck hydroplaned into him while he was fixing a flat) [1]. [0] https://www.outsideonline.com/1930211/bikes-vs-cars-deadly-war-nobodys-winning https://www.outsideonline.com/1930211/bikes-vs-cars-deadly-w... [1] https://www.outsideonline.com/2282551/author-and-cyclist-andrew-tilin-dies-in-collision https://www.outsideonline.com/2282551/author-and-cyclist-and...
cortesoft 9y ago
I can see how this would be good at punishing people, but I am not sure how much this would actually change behavior. I think most people who use a cellphone like that think they are being safe, and by the time this 'feature' comes into play they have already had an accident. It might stop repeat offenders, but I am not sure how many people are getting into multiple accidents caused by cellphones.
cuddlybacon 9y ago
> I’ve taken to yelling “get of your effing phone” at drivers obviously looking down at devices while I’m driving, walking or cycling around; I think the phone doing that would be more efficient. My iPhone does do that. If it thinks I'm driving, it makes me tap a button that says "I'm not driving." in order to continue.
- dayjah 9y ago
  This can be turned off in settings; I’d be interested in knowing how many of us have done that (I have mine on).
  - Retric 9y ago
    A fairly large number of people don't drive but have cellphones (Kids, NYC etc). So, I don't think numbers of people who turn it off is going to tell you much.
  - ghostly_s 9y ago
    I turned it off because it kept disabling me when I was on the train (I drive about once quarterly). It's a good start, though.
    - axxl 9y ago
      You can have it only turn on when you connect to a car bluetooth device instead of using motion detection. It also applies if you have one of those bluetooth to auxiliary adapters if you have an older car.
mulmen 8y ago
Apple’s existing solution of making the device hard to use while driving seems to be better because it actually prevents the accident in the first place and doesn’t introduce a back door.
dmm 8y ago
Here's a great example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I3iNr1myG4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I3iNr1myG4 A driver on her phone strikes a cyclist stopped for a light because the driver cuts the corner and enters the wrong lane. The cyclist is wearing high-viz clothing and uses a very loud horn to alert they driver but the driver just wasn't paying looking.

cryptoz 9y ago

Tony Fadell says, > I think that manufacturers and app developers need to take on this responsibility, before government regulators decide to step in. Tim Cook recently said, "I think the best regulation is no regulation, is self-regulation". And Tony Fadell expresses a similar idea here. That no regulation is the best idea and that companies should "behave" so that the status quo of no regulation continues. But how do they keep these opinions in the face of all the enormous evidence that companies are very specifically designed to be unable to self-regulate? The very structure of a corporation today means it is incentivized to sneak by and almost break as many laws as possible to be short-term profitable. This is incongruent with long-term health, growth, capitalism, and everything else, because it is a strong forcing factor towards very bad corporate behaviour. Constantly lobbying for "no regulation" or to act quickly before those big-bad-regulators come in to protect consumers from poison and addiction makes no sense. Companies will behave badly as long as the law allows it. Suggesting that the companies should behave better while suggesting that there should be absolutely no consequence for bad behaviour legally is a bizarre doubethink. I don't get it.

TeMPOraL 9y ago
Just wishful thinking. It's true that best regulation is self-regulation, and it's also true that companies in general are unable to self-regulate. A recently discussed clear example of that is privacy in the EU - the original cookie law was a gentle nudge to encourage the market to self-regulate. The market didn't, so now we have GDPR.
- cryptoz 9y ago
  > It's true that best regulation is self-regulation You take this as a fact, so do the billionare execs at Apple, but it just isn't true. You can define "best" in however way you want to make it true, but any reasonable definition won't let that happen. Best for whom? Best for the billionares? Maybe, but that's not best for the rest of us. Regulation is important in a healthy capitalistic society. Regulation by government, which is theoretically run by elected representatives, is not a bad thing like you suggest it is. It is a steadying hand that helps a market and a society run stably, rather than run amok with fast-paced greed that outpaces ability to sustain itself. The best regulation is not regulation that the hundreds of millions of people in the USA are not even allowed to know exists because it is a corporate secret. No, that is not the best regulation. The best regulation is carefully written, sustainable, fair, reasonable regulation written with unbiased industry experts, the population itself, the government itself. Trusting the most elite, rich class of secretive billionaries in the world to self-regulate is not the "best regulation", not even for them. They will get more money if they just agreed and allowed normal government processes to continue without their lobbying and interference to create a no-regulation environment that wreaks havoc on the rest of society.

LeicaLatte 9y ago

Legitimizing smartphone addiction is the main reason why Apple will never put a dark mode in iOS. Atleast I hope they don't. It has never been a personal problem (I am carrying my own bunch of bad habits) but I hate watching friends, partners constantly checking their phones in the night.

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
What do you mean by 'dark mode'? I turned my screen black and white, which supposedly lessens the addictiveness. You can also invert the colors for cool matrix like effect... if you are into 90's Winamp Themes.
- giggles_giggles 9y ago
  Modern Android has a f.lux-like effect where it changes the colors on your screen to be warmer so they don't affect your sleep as much. I assume that's what he means by 'dark mode' (it's 'night mode').
  - bethling 9y ago
    iOS has something similar - called 'Night Shift'. I think he's talking about having a theme that is a dark background rather than a light/white one, though.
    - LeicaLatte 9y ago
      Yes a lot of apps provide a night/dark mode as an in app purchase. Convenient, yes. Addicting, yes++. You mentioned Night Shift and I think it actually is a great compromise.
  - hawski 9y ago
    Where is the setting? I have Nexus 5x and I remember that there was night mode, but it was never exposed in settings. It was only available on 7.0.
9y ago

whitepoplar 9y ago

I think smartphone use has split into two paths: utility and "discovery." Utilities are the tools we use every day, the tools we want to be stable, fast, and (relatively) unchanging. E.g. sms, maps, browser, phone, camera, email. "Discovery" is all the new, unstable, changing stuff. I think there's an enormous market for a utility smartphone...and it doesn't even have to be a smartphone. Something between an old Nokia and an iPhone, but still a precision-crafted, luxury device.

rock_hard 9y ago
I don't think sms, maps, browser, phone, camera, email are the apps most people use though. Wikpedia(1) says in the US its actually: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, YoutTube, Google Maps, Google Search, Google Play, Gmail, Instagram, Apple Music and Amazon For other countries you just have to swap out Messenger for Whatsapp and such...but otherwise its basically the same. Mind you this includes preinstalled apps! So I'd say if anything, someone should build a Facebook phone, without all the other crap like phone, email and sms apps :) (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_smartphone_apps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_smartphon...
- kristofferR 9y ago
  That list doesn't include non-downloadable apps. I can guarantee that the browser is more used for googling than the Google Search app, for example.
  - rock_hard 9y ago
    that would be odd since the list includes Google Play and Apple Music, which are both preinstalled apps. Maybe you are overestimating how much people use the browser at scale?
DisruptiveDave 9y ago
I used to be obsessed with a "dumb phone" that didn't quite have the utility features you described years ago. I think it was called John's Phone? Loved the idea, but hated the thought of owning two different phones.

olivermarks 9y ago

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tony-fadell-apple-iphone-addiction-control-design http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tony-fadell-apple-iphone-addi... The actual UK article TechCrunch is basing its summary on

sctb 9y ago
Thanks! We've updated the link from https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/16/tony-fadell-is-worried-about-smartphone-addiction/ https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/16/tony-fadell-is-worried-abo....

brandon272 9y ago

I have to wonder - what is staring at our phones all day doing to our necks? And are we going to have an epidemic of debilitating cervical spine issues pop up 10 or 20 years from now?

physicsyogi 9y ago
They're calling it "text neck". https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/20/text-neck-is-becoming-an-epidemic-and-could-wreck-your-spine/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/2...
majormajor 9y ago
I don't really know that I stare at my phone any more than I used to stare at books/magazines/newspapers. So I'm screwed either way.
matte_black 9y ago
I frequently see children bend their necks at a full 90 degrees to stare mindlessly at an iPad rested on their laps. I would not be surprised if they grow up to have spinal issues. Parents don’t seem to care.
Broken_Hippo 8y ago
Likely something similar to staring at artwork all day... or paperwork, a book, badly-positioned television. Or a car engine (especially if you generally do work from above instead of below). Or anything else you look down at for hours at a time.

jf 9y ago

With the Apple Watch with LTE, Apple _is_ tackling the issue of smartphone addiction. I've been using my Apple Watch as my sole form of communication for 3 months now, it's great.

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graeme 9y ago
Does Siri understand you well, or do you have any cases where you have to scribble, send typos, etc? What do you do for taking notes? Do you have a system for processing later on a phone or a computer? Any apps like whatsapp where you can't initiate a message? How do you get around it? Do you carry a phone? If not, do you carry a camera? I'm interested in doing the same myself.
- jf 8y ago
  > Does Siri understand you well, or do you have any cases where you have to scribble, send typos, etc? Siri works pretty well in most situations. It doesn't work great when I'm in locations with spotty WiFi and LTE. Siri also doesn't work well when I'm in meetings or on the bus, so I scribble in those situations. I really wish I could use Palm's "Graffiti" instead of writing out the letters, it would be so much faster! I also do send typos sometimes. > What do you do for taking notes? Do you have a system for processing later on a phone or a computer? I do not have a system for taking notes on my phone or watch. I use org-mode for my notes so I carry my computer around with me at work as a portable org-mode system. > Any apps like whatsapp where you can't initiate a message? How do you get around it? I don't use Whatsapp, but I do use Signal and not being able to initiate a message is very frustrating. I end up using iMessage in those situations, which isn't ideal. I hope that Signal makes an Apple Watch app. > Do you carry a phone? If not, do you carry a camera? I don't carry a phone for 5-6 days out of the week. At this point, I only take my phone with me if I want to have a "GPS" or a camera. I do miss having a camera, but it's a small price to pay for being free from the constant distraction of a phone.

olivermarks 9y ago

An Apple cash cow is financializing your personal data via a vast sprawling ecosystem http://www.visualcapitalist.com/personal-data-ecosystem/ http://www.visualcapitalist.com/personal-data-ecosystem/ To pick Up Faddell's analogy, this is like letting big sugar regulate itself. It doesn't and has spent millions pushing red herrings like 'low fat' to protect its profit machine. In a parallel universe 'How to take on Big Sugar and win' 'Camilla Cavendish, the initiator of the UK’s tax on sugar, says it’s time to start treating it as nicotine' https://www.ft.com/content/6be1a340-3e3d-11e8-b9f9-de94fa33a81e https://www.ft.com/content/6be1a340-3e3d-11e8-b9f9-de94fa33a... Money is the only language the tech platform barons speak too, despite all the posturing...

mattkrause 9y ago
This seems more like a criticism of Facebook or Google.

lord_ring_11 9y ago

Is it really smart phone adiction or adiction to facebook and other apps?

lkrubner 9y ago

The Cali Cartel needs to tackle the issue of cocaine addiction —- but don’t hold your breath.

thirduncle 9y ago
Exactly. The addictiveness of smartphones isn't a "byproduct" of these devices. It is the product.
- asfgionio 9y ago
  Bear in mind that Apple keeps 30% of App Store revenue, which is tens of billions of dollars a year. If they just sold the hardware they wouldn't care at all how much users use it, but if users are on their phones for hours on end it's more likely they'll spend money on apps.
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DonaldPShimoda 9y ago

Something that I don't know if they've mentioned specifically in public was that the Apple Watch was partly designed to deal with smartphone addiction. I don't have a citable source handy here, so it's just my word, but when I interned with Apple last year there were a few "town hall" events where interns could ask questions of senior management (Cook, Ahrendts, Cue, Maestri, etc). At one of them (I think the Tim Cook one but I'm not 100% certain) someone asked about smartphone addiction. He pointed out that the Apple Watch actually plays a role. It gives you a tap when you get a notification, but the tap isn't too intense and doesn't go for more than a moment. In user studies, they found that people were much more likely to simply dismiss notifications from the Watch than if they weren't wearing one. The effect of this was that people weren't unlocking their phones as often, and by merely avoiding unlocking the phone people were not as tied to using it. It used to be the case for me that I would get a notification, unlock my phone and attend to the notification, and then immediately afterwards open Reddit or Facebook or something because, well, I was already on my phone so why not? Since getting an Apple Watch, I've noticed I do this much less. Maybe part of it is that I'm more cognizant of the problem, but another part is that it's much easier to simply disregard the notifications since they're more fleeting now. I'm sure this sounds like a sales pitch for the Watch to some people, but I don't mean it that way. I just thought it was very interesting when Cook (I think) pointed out that this was a deliberate consideration with the Watch and then I was able to anecdotally confirm its effectiveness myself. I wish I had an actual source to cite for this, but notes are forbidden in the town hall events.

p1esk 9y ago
Regardless of whether they intended it or not, smartphone addiction was one of two reasons I bought Apple Watch (the other reason being I don't like to carry something in my hand or pockets, just to be within reach). Well, a distant third reason is that voice recognition is finally good enough for basic text messaging.
vinniejames 9y ago
This argument seems to imply the opposite, taking the "addicting" notifications and strapping them to your wrist doesn't exactly reduce the behavior. Most studies show any addicting effect is directly tied to the dopamine release from receiving the notifications. The decreased frequency in unlocking the phone is simply moved to your arm. Just bought a smart watch over the weekend, I'll keep you posted ;)

gldev3 9y ago

Why does this has to be an issue with the companies ? It's the same thing with videogames after some time you'll get a message like " You have been playing for XX Hours, we reommend that you take a break. " and it's understandable but if it's not smartphones people will get addicted to something else. This is more of a culture issue that should be addressed in schools from an early age ( at least in my opinion ).

studycity 9y ago

Three years ago I posted this... Any suggestions how to tie iPad entertainment time to Khan academy progress? Does anything like this already exist? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9299697 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9299697 A few days ago Apple approved my app that does exactly that. Currently it is free. Search the iOS store for StudyCity. I am very grateful to Apple for approving my app. When you make a "unique" app, there is no guarantee that Apple will approve it. FYI, my project email is support@dnslearning.org The website is StudyCity.org

exodust 9y ago

This article.... where to begin. Firstly this isn't an "Apple problem". Their smartphone product is one of many. We also see plenty of non-smartphone digital addictions. It's not about smartphones either. And then this: "You should be able to see exactly how you spend your time and, if you wish, moderate your behaviour accordingly." If anyone needs to use an app to check whether they're spending too much time looking at apps, then it's game over. If we need to regularly consult a computer to determine how to live our lives without consulting the computer too much, it's game over. Is society really in this much trouble, that people are writing articles asking for tech giants to save us from tech products? In so many ways that is like giving up as a thoughtful being, formerly in control of your own life and decisions, but now admitting you are merely a fish. Worse than a fish because of what you've lost. You once had organic direction and intuition, but now have an app for that.

perseusprime11 9y ago

If we can hold Facebook accountable for our data, there is no reason why we can't make Apple responsible for our behavior. Apple blames others for addiction, but I think it is time they recognize the damage they are doing to people's minds. In another decade, I am sure there will be sizeable longitudinal survey's pointing to smartphones and people's psychological problems.

j45 9y ago

A tool like RescueTime helps segment one's use of devices and services - it's pretty insightful in terms of measuring one's "Digital Weight"

mrharrison 9y ago

Why are we so eager to blame companies on HN. I wish people would take ownership for their own actions instead of blaming companies. I can't wait for the article, "Take ownership of yourself, stop blaming others".

gxs 9y ago

I'm such a cynic these days. When I see an article like this, all I can think of is that this is the angle the FBs and Googles of the world will use to give Apple it's own share of social responsibility problems. Hey, yes, we collect all data, but Apple, you really should be doing something about phone addiction. Especially since you, Apple, have "system-level control across devices". Definitely understand how that comes across as conspiracy theoryish, but the timing is too inviting.

chrischen 9y ago

I hope Apple does provide the tools to help users control their usage. If they do, it'll be a prime example of the difference in philosophies (or marketing, if you will) between Facebook and Apple. Facebook would never help you curtail usage or take control of usage. They would want users to be oblivious to what's harming them and enable them, in the name of "engagement".

collyw 8y ago
I wish there was an open source alternative to either of those two corporate monsters. I had the Ubuntu phone, but it wasn't great and as many of the apps were web based it was fairly useless when I travelled.

marpstar 9y ago

iOS' "Do Not Disturb While Driving" is a good example of how they're trying. Sure it's touted as a "safety" feature, but it's doing what they need to do: encourage the user not to use their phone all the time.

otabdeveloper2 9y ago

> "Pain killer manufacturers need to tackle the issue of opiate addiction" Looks like they already have, lol (all the way to the bank).

agitator 9y ago

I don't get why people think that this is apple's problem. Do a better job of parenting. Have some self discipline. There are so many products in this world that take advantage of our biology. The iPhone is just one. And it's currently being obsessed over by media outlets. What about all the processed foods making people fat and unhealthy? What about Starbucks selling addictive drugs on every corner and getting away with it? Same with Coca-Cola, why is adding addictive chemicals to a soda that is sold to everyone including children okay? What about television? All of these TV shows coming out are designed to hook you in. Walking my dog every night, I can see everyone just sitting in front of their televisions, wasting time. If you are going to force a company to help people ween themselves from addiction, don't be a hypocrite. You have your own addictions and vices, what makes yours more valid than someone else's. If we are going to make products provide tools to limit their own use, lets do that with all of the addictive products out there, and not single out one company because it's trendy to not be on your phone.

rock_hard 9y ago
I also think generalizing smartphone use as “addiction” is a misrepresentation! I have no doubt that some people are addicted to their phones...but just as some people are addicted to Siracha sauce The media needs to chill the fuck out and move on to the next hype cycle...or better (but unrealistic): stop the hype around anything and just go back to reporting actual news
- tjr225 9y ago
  > I have no doubt that some people are addicted to their phones...but just as some people are addicted to Siracha sauce I don't think _anyone_ is addicted to sriracha in the same way people are addicted to their personal devices. Downplaying this problem is the last thing that should be done.
  - rock_hard 9y ago
    Via Wikipedia: Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.[8] Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process – one which is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus – is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction.[1][9] The two properties that characterize all addictive stimuli are that they are reinforcing (i.e., they increase the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to them) and intrinsically rewarding (i.e., they are perceived as being inherently positive, desirable, and pleasurable). ——— And now go and google Sriracha addiction

himom 9y ago

Have a switch that reduces motion effects and dulls the colors... smartphone dramamine. Otherwise, society is likely to devolve further into ground-lighted sidewalk crossings with distracted people hunched over, oblivious to everyone else and missing life. Tinder: nuf said. [Insert Banksy smartphone lovers gaze pic]

shahbaby 9y ago

The majority of the population has been brain washed into believing that they need a computer that's physically attached to them 24/7. I believe that there is immense value in not having a smartphone. It's a value that can't be packaged into a box and sold for the sticker price. It's the value of being more engaged with your own life and the things that actually matter to you.

zimpenfish 8y ago
> It's the value of being more engaged with your own life and the things that actually matter to you. My mother uses her smartphone to connect with family who are far away. Pray tell how that's not being "engaged with her own life and things that actually matter to her"?

tdaltonc 9y ago

I know HN is big on personal responsibility, so here are two tools to help you deal with phone addiction. I made Space http://youjustneedspace.com http://youjustneedspace.com which help with individual apps. An Android launcher called Siempo http://www.getsiempo.com/ http://www.getsiempo.com/ is a more complete app control system.

flyGuyOnTheSly 9y ago

I've been struggling with addiction in various forms for my entire adult life, so I have a decent understanding of it imho. When I first learned what a smartphone was, I knew immediately that I would become addicted to it if I let myself. I simply chose not to get addicted to smartphones by never purchasing one, and it's working out quite well so far. I know they're awesome little nuggets of technology, but I just don't want to be that connected... so I don't own one. For the same reasons that I choose not to continually purchase the latest gaming console. Spending $1,000 on something every 6 months (amortized cost of the smartphone + connectivity charges) that eventually becomes worthless isn't far off from a serious drug or alcohol addiction financially speaking... And now all of my "straight laced" friends can hardly even carry on a casual conversation without looking at their smartphones every few minutes has only reinforced my way of thinking. They use smartphones as passive babysitters for their children when they're on short car rides without hesitation. The look on a 3 year old's mesmerized face as they stare into a tablet disgusts me to no end. I now choose to never own a smartphone. I know they're a detriment to society. Perhaps when I am old, dying, and actually in desperate need of "contact", I'll splurge on one. But until then, I'm perfectly content receiving and composing emails from a full-blown computer with a keyboard... and sending the odd text message through my dumbphone. I work in the tech industry, and refusing to own a smartphone hasn't slowed me down yet!

rdiddly 9y ago
Kind of funny that they finally found something to hook the rest of 'em - all the strait-laced people as you say. Many people would never be caught by any of the typical addictions -- Smoking is socially stigmatized, drugs are illegal, alcohol addiction is kinda sorta alittlebit mostly "hereditary" in the loosest sense of the word, gambling for most people requires a long car trip. But a smartphone has none of those limitations. EDIT: I suppose the most widespread addiction is coffee. Still king.
- collyw 8y ago
  I think it helps to have been addicted (maybe "dependent" is a better word) on something that has been socially stigmatised to see it for what it is. Friends will quite happily point and label it an "addiction" it out to while ignoring their own "habits". (I think I would draw the line between dependence and addiction when it starts affecting your normal life, but again that description is pretty subjective).

exabrial 9y ago

I think I disagree, but in a good way. Apple needs to protect privacy. Google, FB, et all are pushing devices that upload as much information about users as possible. The most recent Apple update resounded with me in that it said 'privacy is a fundamental right'. What Apple needs to tackle is the issue of becoming an advertisement agency.

sxcurry 9y ago

Actually, Apple doesn't "need" to do anything.

soulnothing 9y ago

Is this shifting the blame? It seems people are addicted to smartphones because it's what they want. Or put another way what else draws interest in their life. Which goes to a quality of life aspect. The onus should not be on the manufacturer to address addiction. But instead, provide means to combat addiction. Apple has that notification toggle. What more do we want, auto lock after X hours of usage. This will probably be harsh but how about learn some self-discipline. If a stepping program is needed, then implement that. Like to ween people off. But it shouldn't be a constant. Why are you checking your phone so much? Why aren't you out doing something, or talking to someone? If you don't want to do that, why are you complaining about checking your phone so much. That is to say some people are introverts. They don't want to talk much. The smartphone allows them to better socialize, and keep to their habits. I've noticed since I upgraded to a pixel. I find myself subconsciously pressing the fingerprint authentication while it's in my pocket. Not looking at it, but just pressing it feeling it unlock. I came to this realization the other day. I was reminded of some of my other addictive behaviors. I'm looking at dumber phones now actually. I've recently downgraded in a way. My biggest use of my phone was for music. I grabbed an old iPod nano and put Rockbox on it. Largely leaving my phone in my backpack. I've also eyed the recent Nokia phones.

malloryerik 8y ago
Subconsciously pressing the fingerprint authentication in your pocket is reminiscent of... the One Ring... I can relate to your iPod story. For me, smartphone has been mostly for reading. I used Kindle among other apps on my phone. Having recently bought a Kindle my iPhone sits untouched in my pocket.

doggydogs94 8y ago

Worldwide, Google has a much larger market share. Let Google take the lead.

awad 8y ago

Shouldn't the onus be on the developers of the applications sitting on top of the smartphones? We don't chide PC manufacturers for video game addicted kids, do we?