It was inevitable. The backlash is in full swing. There were the headlines and talk-show chats about digital detoxing and then the how-to books about digital sabbaths and shabbats. Some of it was fashionable, some of it fearful – all of it good if it got us to thinking about managing and not being managed by our smartphones and other digital social tools. So now there are all kind of strategies … [Read more...] about The smart smartphone social backlash
smartphones
Snapchat’s SnapKidz: All snap, no chat
It's an interesting experiment: The creators of Snapchat, the social app for sharing photos that disappear in seconds, have just introduced SnapKidz, a non-social photo app for kids under 13 with Apple mobile devices (it's not yet available for Android). So, true to its name, it's basically the snap without the chat. It's also the ephemeral photo-sharing app without the ephemeral part. Kids' … [Read more...] about Snapchat’s SnapKidz: All snap, no chat
‘Less is more’ for mobile teens
Wired speculates that, because some Asian texting apps – such as LINE, WeChat, Gangnam Style and Kakaotalk – have "slick user interfaces that focus on simplicity and visually pleasing graphics," these fast-growing apps will soon cross the Pacific, and at least one of them will take off in the US too. "Today, less is more." But Wired seems to contradict itself a bit, saying they're also adding … [Read more...] about ‘Less is more’ for mobile teens
Definitely not just because of Windows 8
It's not a PC, a laptop, a tablet or phone; it's an "ultramobile." That's what tech research firm Gartner Group calls what's replacing desktops. USATODAY says it's "a fully functional personal computer that is light enough to tote around," which sounds like a smartphone. You can read more about how it's different at USATODAY. The point is, we're just getting a whole lot more mobile now, and … [Read more...] about Definitely not just because of Windows 8
Teens’ tech getting very mobile: New study
Ninety-five percent of US 12-to-17-year-olds use the Internet, 93% have access to a computer at home and 71% of teens with that computer at home share it with other family members, according to a study released today – the biggest explanation, most probably, for why teens' Net use has gotten so mobile. It allows them to keep their connectivity personal. "The nature of teens' Internet use has … [Read more...] about Teens’ tech getting very mobile: New study