• Attitudes to smartphone use are shifting significantly.
• Some parental campaigners want significant bands on screen-time for children.
• One French town has banned scrolling in public – for everyone!

Smartphone use may be in its biggest decline since the devices entered common use. Or at least, attitudes towards how the technology impacts day-to-day life are increasingly unfavorable.

Back when owning an iPhone was almost as inconceivable for most people as trying out the Vision Pro is today, the idea that living for 30 days without a smartphone or any other device being within the self-challenge subgenre of movie would have been laughable.

Now, when the idea of going out for a day without a smartphone in your pocket seems almost ludicrous, a movie by Alex Lykos, following his experience of going cold turkey off his devices and called Disconnect Me was just released.

Alex Lykos lived for a month without his smart devices. Via IMDB.

As much as it reeks of Western privileges (although really, others in the genre like Supersize Me could be accused of the same), Disconnect Me attempts to identify the alienation that disconnecting now represents. Although the Guardian’s review of the movie criticizes some sweeping comments made by Lykos about the impact of technology on children, it concedes that “Lykos gives an affable and personal survey of different issues associated with smartphone use, from self-esteem to attention span.”

And we are far from short of evidence that the technologically driven world we inhabit has repercussions for every generation.

We all know smartphone use is bad for kids

The well-documented ill-effects of using smartphones and other technology from a young age range from physical strain and eye troubles to increased rates of unhappiness in younger and younger children.

Digital screen time is linked to the development of myopia in children and teenagers, and is also linked to dry eye syndrome, digital eyestrain and poor head and neck postures.

Via mykidsvision.org.

A slew of lawsuits recently filed against Meta also shine a light on the types of content to which children are exposed on social media, and the impact it has on their wellbeing. One such lawsuit in the US state of New Mexico alleges that Meta “proactively served and directed [children] to egregious, sexually explicit images through recommended users and posts – even where the child has expressed no interest in this content.”

Whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed internal studies showed platforms like Instagram led children to anorexia-related content.

Over in the UK, the government’s Department for Education has confirmed plans to ban use of mobile phones in English schools, issuing statutory guidance on how to do so – guidance that unions have said is already in place in a vast majority of schools: try having a conversation with a child while they scroll TikTok if you can’t imagine why.

Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey, a schoolgirl who was murdered on February 11, 2023, believes her daughter was vulnerable after spending so much time online. This month, she’s called for  a complete ban on social media access for under-16s.

All that and the alarming links between the time children spend on smartphones and social media and the likelihood they’ll experience bullying, problems of low self-esteem and even self-harm, mean it’s easy to understand why smartphones aren’t conducive to a learning atmosphere.

Research from the London School of Economics found test scores for schoolchildren in Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester rose when their schools introduced mobile phone bans.

Making some kind of change to improve all of this isn’t an unpopular idea.

Thousands of UK parents have joined calls for a smartphone-free childhood led by two mothers in response to their fears around the norm of giving children smart devices when they go to secondary school (aged 11 or 12).

After Clare Ferynhough and Daisy Greenwell’s WhatsApp group Smartphone-Free Childhood was promoted on Instagram, over a thousand other parents joined overnight.

Smartphones expose children to a “world that they are not ready for” because they can access pornography and content on self-harm and suicide, which can have a detrimental impact on their mental health, Fernyhough said.

Shocked by the support, Fernyhough said she’d thought it was an “extreme view,” forming the group for solidarity among a minority. This view isn’t exactly surprising: Ofcom research found that 91% of children in the UK own a smartphone by the time they’re 11 and 44% by the time they’re nine.

Changing this is the only way to combat smartphone use in children; being the only one without a smartphone in a class full of other children with one would be alienating and unfair. “That’s a nightmare and no one will do that to their child. But if 20%, 30%, even 50% of kids are turning up with parents making that decision, they are in a much better position.”

Not good for adults, either

We might be keen to overlook the negative effects of smartphone use on young people because we so want to ignore them in ourselves. Sure, children are playing outside less, but have you noticed the quieter streets from around the edges of your own smartphone?

A teen with one earphone constantly in is less conspicuously rude if you’re distracted by your own scrolling.

One French village has decided to take this all more seriously, banning people from scrolling their phones in public. From a hairdresser in the village, Ludivine, a cardiologist, told the Guardian that “everyone is struggling with too much screen time.”

Signs outside a school in Seine-Port. Via the Guardian

Seine-Port has a population below 2,000 and voted yes in a referendum to restrict smartphone use in public. The rules for children are stricter: no screens of any kind in the morning, no screens in bedrooms, before bed or during meals.

If parents of teenagers sign a written agreement not to provide their child with a smartphone before the age of 15, the town hall will provide the child with a handset for calls only – the old-fashioned sort.

A postal worker from the town, Gabriel, said he’s against the move. The 20-year-old said that he spends five hours a day on his phone, “which [he thinks] is reasonable.”

“You can’t ban knowledge at your fingertips.”

All of this does indicate a shift in attitudes towards what was once welcomed as the key to a better future. Post-covid, there was some pushback against the move online caused by social distancing and there’s reluctance from many to buy into the smartphone ordering and payment systems that cropped up as restaurants and shops reopened.

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Further, as more and more gets done by smartphones, proof that they’re superior to the ‘real’ things they replace gets harder to show. Sure, the GPS on your phone makes navigating a new city far simpler than using a map did, but the iBeer gimmick got old fast.

People are increasingly dubious about online services being offered in place of “real” ones – and of the companies that own them. The reign of the tech genius is very much over – heralded by Musk and Zuckerberg’s distinct uncoolness – and, tentatively, screens are falling from favor.

That’s not to say anyone’s about to ditch their smartphone, but the concept of an online future is, at the very brink of being realized, less and less appealing.

The post Are smartphones a social issue? appeared first on TechHQ.

• In 2023, Apple surpassed Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer by volume.
• Apple’s success was driven by consumers opting for higher-end models, prioritizing durability and features over price.
• In the past year, Samsung shifted focus to the mid and high-end markets for greater profitability.

Over the past decade, Apple and Samsung have been locked in a fierce smartphone industry rivalry, constantly vying for dominance. With its iPhone series, Apple has consistently set trends while Samsung focused on delivering various devices to cater to multiple market segments. This intense competition has led to a see-saw battle for market share, with each company striving to outdo the other in design, features, and technological advancements. 

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The race for consumer loyalty and the title of “the world’s top smartphone manufacturer” has fueled a continuous cycle of innovation and product evolution, making their rivalry one of the defining narratives in the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology.

Then came 2023, when Apple finally outperformed Samsung in global smartphone sales – for the first time since 2010.

The iPhone dethroned Samsung Galaxy to become the best-selling smartphone series globally, marking a notable shift in the industry’s competitive landscape. According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, the iPhone accounted for a substantial fifth of the global smartphone market, with nearly 235 million shipments in the past year. 

“The last time a company not named Samsung was at the top of the smartphone market was 2010, and for 2023, it is now Apple. A shifting of power at the top of the largest consumer electronics market was driven by Apple’s all-time high market share and a first time at the top,” IDC’s report reads. In other words, the unprecedented market share demonstrates Apple’s ability to capture a significant portion of consumer demand, and solidifies its position as a frontrunner in the highly competitive smartphone industry.

Apple’s dominance during the holiday quarter has been a recurring theme recently. However, its unprecedented lead over Samsung throughout the year indicates that Apple is navigating the challenges of an industrywide slump more effectively than its competitors.

Apple vs Samsung: a decade-defying achievement

While Samsung remains a formidable player in the smartphone market, its shipments experienced a double-digit slump in 2023, totaling 226.6 million. “The overall shift in ranking at the top of the market further highlights the intensity of competition within the smartphone market,” said Ryan Reith, group VP with IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. 

The iPhone sold more than Samsung’s devices globally in 2023. Source: Bloomberg.

Reith believes that Apple certainly played a part in Samsung’s drop in rank, but also that the overall Android space is diversifying. “Huawei is back and making inroads quickly within China. Brands like OnePlus, Honor, Google, and others are launching very competitive devices in the lower price range of the high-end foldable, and increased discussions around AI capabilities on the smartphone are gaining traction. Overall, the smartphone space is headed towards an exciting time,” he added.

Apple’s surpassing Samsung in global smartphone sales signifies a crucial moment in the industry rivalry. It highlights the enduring popularity of the iPhone series and Apple’s ability to connect with a diverse global audience – though it’s reasonable to ask why this is the first time in over a decade it’s beaten Samsung to the punch. Consumers can expect more innovations and intense competition between these tech giants as the smartphone landscape evolves.

Global smartphone sales

Apple vs Samsung – the battle continues. Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, January 15, 2024.

Overall, IDC said the global smartphone market remains challenged, but momentum is moving quickly toward recovery. According to initial findings, 2023 witnessed a 3.2% decline in global smartphone shipments, reaching 1.17 billion units. It is also the lowest full-year volume in a decade, primarily driven by macroeconomic challenges and elevated inventory early in the year.

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The latter half of the year though brought a surge, solidifying expectations for a robust recovery in 2024. IDC noted that the fourth quarter saw 8.5% year-over-year growth and 326.1 million shipments, higher than the forecast of 7.3% growth. “While we saw some strong growth from low-end Android players like Transsion and Xiaomi in the second half of 2023, stemming from rapid growth in emerging markets, the biggest winner is clearly Apple,” said Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team. 

“Not only is Apple the only player in the Top 3 to show positive growth annually, but it also bags the number 1 spot annually for the first time. All this despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market. Apple’s ongoing success and resilience is largely due to the increasing trend of premium devices, which now represent over 20% of the market, fueled by aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans.”

The post Apple claims top spot, outshining Samsung in 2023 smartphone sales appeared first on TechHQ.

In mainstream business, mobile devices for work activities were normalised by the unprecedented shift towards working from home in 2020. Accessing industry-specific apps on mobile devices in manufacturing, engineering, and utilities has a longer history, of course, but the shift to widespread working on personal mobiles has at least reminded us all that these devices are an attack vector for bad actors.

There’s also the operational need for mobile, and using mobile devices at work brings significant productivity benefits. As employees become more accustomed to working with mobiles at work and home, the use cases for mobile software in the workplace grow. A ruggedised tablet or phone can have multiple purposes, fostering a more connected and agile workforce away from the shop floor. In addition to communications, procurement, HR, logistics, and even data analysis can now happen on the go. But devices can be infiltrated through malicious software, phishing attacks or unsecured Wi-Fi connections, leading to unauthorised access to confidential data and accounts. Bad actors can exploit this access to steal sensitive information, place ransomware, and attack physical operations and infrastructure.

Source: Shutterstock

While smartphones may seem minor in the grand scheme of the company network, the consequences of their breach are anything but. A 2022 report found that 46 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that had suffered a mobile-related compromise said the impact was significant and had lasting repercussions.

Protecting an extensive fleet of mobile devices connected to the business network can be a daunting challenge, especially for SMBs lacking the resources and expertise for robust mobile device security. This is where a managed service solution offers a promising alternative to mitigate the risks associated with the increasing reliance on mobile devices. With mobile now an integral part of operations, ensuring security also helps ensure continuity of production. Managed service solutions provide comprehensive security features and expertise to manage device security, compliance and compatibility with existing workflows and systems.

A managed service provider’s expertise can ensure that all devices are set up for specific company roles, reducing the costs associated with unnecessary features and software bloat. As vendor software and mobile devices’ updates come on-stream, the service provider can pre-test the new versions before release into production, ensuring the new code will operate with all existing systems and processes. This is often undertaken in a ‘digital twin’ model, where proposed changes – however seemingly innocuous – can be run through their paces.

Source: Shutterstock

Depending on the role mobile devices play in a facility’s operations, different companies need different levels of support to ensure compliance, cyber safety and operational continuity. Guardian Managed Services from Renovotec are available in three tiers: Essentials, Enhanced and All-Inclusive. Unlike vendor-specific offerings, each level covers all mobile devices regardless of the software, OS and usage. And because every vendor has its own cadence for software and firmware updates and patches, the company’s specialised knowledge in the manufacturing sector ensures that updates and security fixes come into production pre-tested and to an agreed timetable.

Renovotec’s Innovation Centre runs devices side by side in testing ‘sandboxes’ that emulate its clients’ operations. After rigorous checking, any change is also run in a controlled environment on-site.

The detailed knowledge the company has accrued means it’s the perfect partner for the ongoing management of mobile devices in industry, plus it can advise on and implement fleet roll-outs or mass upgrades. Its processes keep companies’ devices safe from malware threats and fully compliant in environments where reliability and continuity are critical.

Source: Shutterstock

Vendors’ release cycles have been known to throw a proverbial spanner into the works: skipping over Android releases, for example, requiring an upgrade from version 11 to 13, or needing an OS out of its maker’s support period. Without an expert managed service partner, companies can suffer from third-party policies that translate into cybersecurity issues or negative impacts on operations.

Guardian Managed Services from Renovotec offers comprehensive security-focused support tiers to ensure the safety and optimal performance of the entire mobile device estate. Beyond traditional Help Desk support, it provides access to highly trained experts who handle third-party and manufacturer issues, plus the complexities of a company’s internal processes.

It’s a one-stop shop that goes further, providing actionable insight reports to help with the proactive management of a company’s hardware. With budget-friendly fixed monthly costs per device instead of per-ticket or per-incident charges, decision-makers and company owners can keep peace of mind while managing their business.

Discover how Guardian Managed Services can safeguard your business by contacting the Renovotec team today.

The post Cybersecurity with a remote workforce: Why protecting your company’s mobile devices matters appeared first on TechHQ.

Last week, Apple sent out invites to its mysterious ‘Wonderlust’ live event, where it is expected that the iPhone 15 will be unveiled. The event will take place on September 12 at 10am PT (6pm BST) at Apple Park’s Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, but it will also be livestreamed on the Apple website. The company has revealed almost every new smartphone lineup in mid-to-late September in over a decade, so it is unlikely this will change.

The rumor mill surrounding the new model has been swirling since before even the iPhone 14 was unveiled last year. But in recent months, trusted sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, a market analyst at TF International Securities, have been confirming what they believe to be true about the latest devices. TechHQ took a closer look at the all-but-confirmed details.

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USB-C

Like previous iterations, there are expected to be four models of the latest iPhone – the standard, the 15 Plus, the 15 15 Pro, and the 15 Pro Max, each getting increasingly expensive and offering better, more high-end features.

The handsets are expected to have the same screen sizes as the iPhone 14 series – 6.1 inches in diameter for the standard 15 and the 15 Pro, and 6.7 inches for the 15 Plus and the 15 Pro Max. There were some murmurings that the Pro Max might be rebranded as iPhone 15 ‘Ultra,’ but Mr Gurman has slated that for 2024.

While the expert has said that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be very similar to the iPhone 14 Pro models, it is widely assumed that the entire range will have one new feature; a USB-C port.

Leaked image of iPhone 15 Pro’s USB port. Source: MacRumors/Unknownz21

Apple has been in a years-long battle with the European Parliament over doing away with the Lightning Port and associated cables, which only work with Apple devices. However, since legislation was passed to ban the sale of all smartphones that aren’t powered with USB-C cables in EU countries by the end of 2024, its hand has finally been forced.

The USB-C ports in the iPhone 15 Pro models will support faster data transfers with at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 technology (maximum 20Gb/s), while the base models will be powered by the standard USB 2.0 (maximum 480Mb/s). However, the faster speeds may be reserved for Apple ‘Made for iPhone’ (MFI) cables, which can be expected to come at a premium too.

As well as USB-C, all iPhone 15s will support Apple MagSafe chargers and Qi charging technology, meaning they can be magnetically charged at 15W speeds with third-party accessories that use Qi2.

Camera

The 15 Pro series is set to introduce a new 6x optical telephoto camera, doubling the zoom capabilities of the iPhone 14 Pro. According to Mr. Kuo, the 15 Pro Max is expected to feature a horizontally mounted periscope lens and camera module integrated into the phone’s design. All four iPhone 15 models will also have a 48-megapixel camera, unlike the iPhone 14 range, where the two base levels only feature 12-megapixel lenses.

Chips

Apple plans to utilize Qualcomm modem chips for its new devices due to delays in developing its own processors. The standard iPhone 15 models will receive an upgrade to the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro models, while the 15 Pro models will feature faster and more efficient 3-nanometer A17 chips. This will enhance processing performance by 10 to 15 percent and reduce power consumption by up to 35 percent.

The iPhone 15 Pro models are slated to feature faster and more efficient 3-nanometer A17 chips. This will enhance processing performance by 10 to 15 percent and reduce power consumption by up to 35 percent. Source: MacRumors

All iPhone 15 models may benefit from a more power-efficient OLED display driver chip, manufactured on a 28-nanometre process, potentially improving battery life. Furthermore, the lineup is expected to include a next-generation Ultra Wideband chip with a 7-nanometre processor for enhanced performance and energy efficiency. This will also integrate with the Vision Pro headset.

Hardware

The most significant external change is that not one of the devices in the range will feature the dreaded ‘notch’. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus still had the screen cutout which houses the front-facing sensors and cameras, disrupting the otherwise seamless display experience. Both Pro versions, however, feature ‘Dynamic Island’ – a pill-shaped area in the screen that accommodates camera hardware with a ‘hole punch’ lens and displays certain alerts. Dynamic Island will be available on all four iPhone 15 models, according to Mr Gurman.

According to leaks, ‘Dynamic Island’ will feature on all four iPhone 15 models. Source: Shutterstock

The analyst also suggests that the 15 Pro models will feature titanium frames to replace the stainless steel ones, aiming to reduce weight and provide durability. They will also have slimmer bezels and more curved edges, something that could be alluded to by the curved cutouts in the ‘Wonderlust’ logo.

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Apple news website MacRumors discovered code in a beta version of iOS 17 that hints at the inclusion of an ‘Action Button’ on the upcoming iPhones. This could serve various functions, such as shortcuts or triggering the camera shutter, and is similar to that on the Apple Watch Ultra.

Strangely, last year’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus came with a desirable feature that the Pro versions did not – a chassis that makes it easier to open up the device and swap the back glass. This makes it much easier and cheaper to replace this glass if it gets smashed, so this design will be included on all four  models in the new iteration.

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Colors

To showcase the new titanium frames, the Pro versions of the iPhone 15 are rumored to come in Dark Blue, Silver-Gray, Space Black, and Titanium Gray finishes. Some even speculate that the dark blue and gray colors of the ‘Wonderlust’ logo hint at these aesthetics.

Leaked images also suggest that Apple will color-match the charging cables included with each device. The cables pictured come in Midnight Black, Starlight White, Yellow, Blue, and Coral Pink; these colors are expected to be available for the base iPhone 15 models.

The Pro versions of the iPhone 15 are rumored to come in Dark Blue, Silver-Gray, Space Black, and Titanium Gray finishes. The standard versions are rumored to come in Midnight Black, Starlight White, Yellow, Blue, and Coral Pink. Source: MacRumors

iPhone 15 color-matched cables. Source: Twitter-@KosutamiSan/MacRumors

Wi-Fi

Leaks suggest that the Pro and Pro Max versions of the iPhone 15 will feature Wi-Fi 6E, thanks to their A17 processors, while the standard versions will use Wi-Fi 6 like the previous iterations. Wi-Fi 6E, operating in the 6 GHz frequency band, provides 1.2GHz more spectrum that translates to faster speeds, lower latency, and improved performance in densely populated areas. This also means it has the bandwidth to support data-intensive AR and VR applications, like those supported by the Vision Pro headset.

Prices

Mr Gurman and other Apple analysts have said the iPhone 15 models will be more expensive than their iPhone 14 predecessors. The iPhone 15 Pro will likely start at $1,099 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199, compared to $999 and $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Barclays Analyst Tim Long told MacRumors that conversations he’d had with Asian suppliers suggested that starting prices for the Pro Max could be $200 higher than last year’s equivalent. He also indicated that the base model iPhone 15 will begin at $799 and iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the same as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.

Pre-orders will likely be accepted on the Friday following ’Wonderlust,’ and shipments to be sent out the week after if Apple follows its usual itinerary. Fans will have to wait until then to experience any upgrades and features for themselves.

Sure, but should you skip it?

The post iPhone 15: All the rumored features, prices, colors, and when it’s coming appeared first on TechHQ.