Less chatter is heard in hospitals and clinic waiting rooms and even in dentist offices. Instead, beeping and typing and phone sounds have replaced the sound of people talking. More young men and women are busy chatting, surfing the Web, and playing games via their smartphones or computer tablets making their wait more bearable.
Users say these devices are carried easily, affordable and contain a variety of applications disconnecting them from their surroundings.
Khader Imam, a PR specialist at a large medical center in Jeddah city, said instant-messaging apps such as WhatsApp are becoming more popular among young men and women.
Doctors and hospital managers feel that patients and their family members are less agitated during what sometimes could be a long wait.
Sultan Thubaiti says that instant messaging applications allow users to send and receive messages in a fast and fun way, in addition to sharing videos and photos.
Thubaiti added that visiting medical center with elders is now less tedious than before as the connection with friends is guaranteed.
“These apps are encouraging social connection between people as they exchange information and greetings through forums,” he explained.
Khaled Al-Bishi, a frequent smartphone user thinks that chatting apps, if used over long periods of time, are negative.
“A person can face social problems such as neglecting family and important issue. These apps are dangerous particularly if used during driving,” Al-Bishi said.
Ezz Al Din Hafeth, a Saudi teacher, said instant chatting is a necessity during times of anxiety or long waiting. Hafeth no longer uses his mobile for calling his friends around the world.
Instead, he uses such apps extensively.
Psychologist Dr. Khaled Abbas says that caution should be exercised when dealing with such technologies.
“The smartphone addiction can negatively affect people’s health, psychology, economic situation and social life,” Abbas advised.
He said children and youth should be aware of the silly immoral, negative behaviors they see as they could become habitual.
Abbas warned that staying up late hurts students’ academic achievements and communication skills.
He called upon parents to monitor their children’s use of these programs.
“These channels, if used properly, are important source of communication, knowledge as well as exchange of information and dialogue.”
Social challenge: Smart gadgets bring joy and misery
Social challenge: Smart gadgets bring joy and misery
Apple to update EU browser options, make more apps deletable
- iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7
- Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options
STOCKHOLM: Apple will change how users choose browser options in the European Union, add a dedicated section for changing default apps, and make more apps deletable, the company said on Thursday.
The iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7, forcing big tech companies to offer mobile users the ability to select from a list of available web browsers on a “choice screen.”
The new rules require mobile software makers to show the choice screen where users can select a browser, search engine and virtual assistant as they set up their phones, which earlier came with preferred options from Apple and Google.
In an update later this year, Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options.
A randomly ordered list of 12 browsers per EU country will be shown to the user with short descriptions, and the chosen one will be automatically downloaded, Apple said. The choice screen will also be available on iPads through an update later this year.
Apple released a previous update in response to the new rules in March, but browser companies criticized the design of its choice screen, and the Commission opened an investigation on March 25 saying it suspected that the measures fell short of effective compliance.
The company said it has been in dialogue with the European Commission and believes the new changes will address regulators’ concerns.
It also plans to introduce a dedicated area for default apps where a user will be able to set defaults for messaging, phone calls, spam filters, password managers and keyboards.
Users will also be able to delete certain Apple-made apps such as App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos and Safari. Only Settings and Phone apps would not be deletable.
