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Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

wired.co.uk

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Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#81

Post by ghostly_s »

dayjah wrote: post #48
cuddlybacon wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

This can be turned off in settings; I’d be interested in knowing how many of us have done that (I have mine on).

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.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#82

Post by shahbaby »

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.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#83

Post by asfgionio »

thirduncle wrote: post #32
lkrubner wrote: post #25

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

Exactly. The addictiveness of smartphones isn't a "byproduct" of these devices. It is the product.

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.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#84

Post by axxl »

ghostly_s wrote: post #81
dayjah wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This can be turned off in settings; I’d be interested in knowing how many of us have done that (I have mine on).

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.

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.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#85

Post by vanattab »

DonaldPShimoda wrote: post #26

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 Coo…

I just bought a LTE LG Watch (should be in tomorrow) just so I could leave my phone behind exactly due to this kind of effect. I have come to the realization that a huge junk of the time I and virtual everyone around me spends on our phones is wasteful and unproductive. Looking up from my phone around a bar and seeing so many tables full of people staring at their phones kind of makes me nostalgic for the dumb phone era. I am hoping that the smartwatch will be a good compromise between staying connected and not encouraging my own bad habits.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#86

Post by egypturnash »

agitator wrote: post #71

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…

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.

The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “I made a difference to that one!”

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#87

Post by tjr225 »

rock_hard wrote: post #78
agitator wrote: post #71

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…

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

> 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.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#88

Post by eropple »

whytaka wrote: post #80
graeme wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have a camera for photos? I have an LTE watch. That + written notes are the two big things I miss. Also can't wait till all apps are phone independent. Right now most third party apps stop working without a phone.

I do not. I'm in the market for a camera that's the size of the AirPods case so I could bring it on vacation. It'd be great if I could have something like the cameras off of today's latest and greatest phones but in a much more miniature and standalone form factor. The apps I'm waiting for are Car2Go or Uber that work totally independently. Also, unfortunately, Google Hangout for work. While I'm making wishes, it'd b…

Finding a decent camera in that size is damned near impossible, but something like a LUMIX ZS60S or a Sony DSCW830 is pretty tiny and takes much nicer photos than a phone once you've spent a little time getting used to the camera and what it can actually do. (Often your phone can also take much better photographs than your automatic settings will, but fiddling with it is a pain.)

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#89

Post by tdaltonc »

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 which help with individual apps.

An Android launcher called Siempo http://www.getsiempo.com/ is a more complete app control system.

Re: Apple needs to tackle the issue of smartphone addiction

#90

Post by RandallBrown »

whytaka wrote: post #80
graeme wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have a camera for photos? I have an LTE watch. That + written notes are the two big things I miss. Also can't wait till all apps are phone independent. Right now most third party apps stop working without a phone.

I do not. I'm in the market for a camera that's the size of the AirPods case so I could bring it on vacation. It'd be great if I could have something like the cameras off of today's latest and greatest phones but in a much more miniature and standalone form factor. The apps I'm waiting for are Car2Go or Uber that work totally independently. Also, unfortunately, Google Hangout for work. While I'm making wishes, it'd b…

A GoPro is a pretty similar size to the AirPods case and gets you a pretty rugged camera.
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