Apps
Exclusive
Gadgets
AI hype, 3G shutdown drive bumper smartphone sales
Australians are back buying new smartphones, with the new iPhone facing stiffer competition from AI-enabled Android rivals.
- by David Swan
Latest
Analysis
Apple
‘End of the world’: The Apple change that has flown under the radar
When Apple announced iOS 18, the latest version of its mobile operating system, most of the attention went to its slate of new AI features. But a lesser-known change may wind up being more important.
- by Kevin Roose
Would you pay $1500 a month for a health app?
Buzzy health start-ups are vying for users and venture capital funding, but some warn they offer little health benefit and in fact may be causing harm.
- by David Swan
Exclusive
Parenting
The simple tip to help a child get over their screen addiction
An Australian-first clinical trial of treatments found parents can have some success by enforcing rules that limit internet access.
- by Mary Ward
Opinion
Social media
Smartphones have robbed teenagers of freedom. No law will change that
Social media and smartphone technology make it very difficult to convince adolescents that true freedom lies in privacy, in anonymity, in no one knowing what you’re up to.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Exclusive
Social media
‘Parents already have the tools’: Snapchat billionaire pushes back on social media ban
Tech billionaire Evan Spiegel is the first global CEO to weigh in and says parents – not tech companies – should carry most of the responsibility for their kids’ screen time.
- by David Swan
‘A total nightmare’: The parents who are rejoicing over social media ban
University academics on Tuesday criticised the government’s plan, describing it as reckless, but parents say it will stem the negative effects of prolonged screen use.
- by Christopher Harris
Welcome to our new Today’s Paper
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have launched a new version of Today’s Paper on our websites and apps.
How would a social media ban actually work?
Almost a quarter of children aged eight to 10 use social media, as do half of 13-year-olds. How would new laws banning them from apps actually keep them off?
- by Paul Sakkal and David Swan
‘It’s highly manipulative’: The dark side of app streak culture
From Snapchat and TikTok to Duolingo and Strava, streak features have been all the rage since the 2010s. But are they actually any good for us?
- by Nell Geraets
Exclusive
Social media
Instagram wants parents to have power to block access to its own apps
After calls for Facebook to be blocked for children, top Meta executives will tell politicians the best place to restrict access is as people download an app.
- by Paul Sakkal
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/smartphone-apps-61y