smartphones
Coverage of smartphones in the Nexus archive.
- Schools across the US banned phones. Teens are demanding more offline support
Students are advocating for digital wellbeing programs to thrive in tech-free learning environments as schools across the US ban phones. Educators and parents have actively opposed technology's influence, yet many young people feel excluded from discussions concerning these school phone policies. These new policies are currently implemented in at least 39 states and Washington DC.
- Some Gen Zers swap smartphones for "dumb" phones in a bid to unplug
Some Gen Z individuals are switching to 'dumb' phones to reduce social media use and disconnect from smartphones. A 23-year-old cited mental clarity as a benefit of this transition.
- Some in Gen Z ditching smartphones
A growing number of Gen Z individuals are abandoning smartphones and social media, despite having grown up with these technologies. CBS News' Maya Blackstone reports on this emerging trend.
- Can using your phone while charging affect its battery life?
Using a phone while charging alters its charging process. The article addresses common myths and truths about charging smartphones and tablets.
- Would You Go Back to a Time Before Smartphones If You Could?
A 2023 survey by psychologist Clay Routledge found 67% of Americans wish to return to a time before smartphones. The article explores tech-focused nostalgia driving retro tech sales and a podcast, 'How to Touch Grass,' discussing strained modern relationships with technology. Listeners express mixed feelings, using terms like 'complicated' and 'indentured' to describe their tech relationships.
- Qualcomm is about to raise prices and that’s bad news for everyone
Qualcomm plans to increase its prices by a double-digit percentage starting September 1st, citing an inability to absorb higher supplier costs due to ongoing component shortages. The company stated it attempted to source components from alternate suppliers before announcing the hikes, which are expected to have a ripple effect, particularly on smartphone manufacturers.
- US-Iran conflict is becoming a testbed for the future of warfare
The US and Iran are employing advanced technologies in their conflict, including US unmanned surface vessels striking Iran’s Bandar Abbas naval base and Iran’s suspected use of cyberattacks to target US military personnel via smartphones. Both sides are testing innovations like autonomous drones and commercial ad-targeting software for strategic operations.
- 20 things your phone knows about you that you never told it
The article reveals that smartphones can infer sensitive information like location history, political views, and financial status through data users unknowingly provide. These insights are derived from patterns and metadata rather than explicit user input.
- Taliban declares war on smartphones
The Taliban has banned smartphones for government workers, police, and military personnel, with the restriction extending to healthcare and educational facilities. Ordinary citizens fear they may also be affected.
- Taliban declares war on smartphones
The Taliban has banned smartphones for government workers, police, and military personnel, with the ban extending to healthcare and educational facilities. Ordinary citizens are concerned they may also be affected.
- Lenders Seek $700 Million After Japan Payments Firm’s Collapse
Lenders are seeking $700 million following the collapse of a Japan-based payments firm. The firm's failure has triggered financial claims from creditors.
- These popular smartphones are in their last year of software support
Popular smartphones are entering their final year of software support, prompting consumers to consider update timelines before purchasing. The article highlights the importance of understanding how long a phone will receive updates.
- 7 Best Phones You Can’t Buy in the US (2026)
The article highlights 7 smartphones that are not officially sold in the US but are available in markets like the UK and Europe, aiming to help readers avoid FOMO.
- Screen time can damage under-twos’ development, landmark study suggests
A landmark study suggests that screen time for babies and toddlers under two years old may cause long-term negative effects on health and quality of life. Researchers warn of developmental risks from using smartphones, tablets, and digital devices during this period and call for urgent investigation.
- Screen time can damage under-twos’ development, landmark study suggests
A landmark study links screen time for babies and toddlers under two to long-term negative effects on health and quality of life, urging urgent investigation into risks posed by digital devices like smartphones and tablets. Researchers warn that early screen use may cause developmental concerns.
- Rise in memory chip costs puts pressure on retailers of laptops and smartphones
A shortage of memory chips driven by the global AI race is increasing consumer electronics prices and potentially causing product shortages. Retailers of laptops and smartphones face pressure from rising chip costs.
- Qualcomm announces AI data center CPU, signs Meta as first major customer
Qualcomm announced an AI data center CPU and secured Meta as its first major customer. The company's primary business remains smartphones, which accounted for two-thirds of its product revenue in the most recent quarter.
- Afghan Taliban clamp down on women, smartphones, protests
The Taliban in Afghanistan are enforcing strict rules on women's clothing, targeting protesters with violence, and prohibiting the use of smartphones, including among their own officials. The regime's actions reflect heightened control and underlying anxiety.
- How to Become a Person After Smartphones Have Rotted Your Brain
The article discusses how smartphones negatively impact brain function and offers strategies to reclaim personal identity. It is published by The New Atlantis and has sparked discussion on Hacker News with 22 points and 3 comments.
- Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices
The Taliban has banned smartphone use for government officials in Afghanistan, with reports suggesting potential expansion to the entire population. The directive, issued by the Taliban's military courts, prohibits officials at all levels from using mobile phones, raising concerns about broader restrictions.
- America’s fertility rate has never been lower. Blame smartphones — and these 4 financial realities.
America's fertility rate has reached its lowest level, attributed to smartphones and four financial realities. The article notes that achieving desired family sizes requires gender equality, economic stability, decent health, and confidence in the future.
- Scientists pour cold water on claims phones are rewiring kids' brains
Scientists testified before UK MPs that there is limited causal evidence linking smartphones and social media to changes in children's brain development, with most existing research being correlational. Experts highlighted concerns about displacement of activities like play and social interaction, as well as the impact of reward systems in adolescent brains.
- Could your iPhone be to blame for America’s baby decline?
The U.S. birth rate has declined by 22% since 2007, with a study suggesting smartphones, including the iPhone, may account for nearly half of this drop by reducing relationship formation and partnered intimacy. The National Bureau of Economic Research paper highlights factors like increased access to pornography and reduced social contact as contributing to the decline.
- Can smartphones help explain the drop in birth rates?
A new working paper investigates whether smartphones are linked to the decline in birth rates since the iPhone's introduction 20 years ago.
- Smartphones blamed for decline in fertility rate among women in new study
A new study suggests that smartphone use accounts for 33–52% of the decline in fertility rates among women aged 15–44. The research attributes a significant portion of the drop in general fertility rates to increased smartphone usage.
- How smartphones broke British politics
The article explores how smartphones have contributed to political instability in the UK, with lawmakers admitting to being addicted despite claiming to dislike their devices. It highlights the role of smartphones in accelerating political churn, amplifying grievances, and complicating governance, particularly in the context of Brexit and recent crises.
- American's birth rate has plunged. Are smartphones to blame?
The iPhone was introduced in 2007, the same year the U.S. birth rate started to decline. A new analysis suggests a possible link between smartphones and the birth rate decrease.
- Are smartphones to blame for declining birth rates?
Researchers are pointing to smartphones as a potentially significant factor in the decline in birth rates.
- Are smartphones to blame for declining birth rates?
Researchers suggest smartphones may be a significant factor in declining birth rates. The article highlights a potential link between smartphone usage and reduced birth rates.
- Are smartphones to blame for declining birth rates?
Researchers suggest smartphones may be a significant factor in declining birth rates. The article highlights a potential link between smartphone usage and reduced birth rates.
- Are smartphones to blame for declining birth rates?
Researchers suggest smartphones may be a significant factor in declining birth rates. The article highlights a potential link between smartphone usage and reduced birth rates.
- 15 pieces of technology that would have seemed like science fiction in 2005
The article highlights 15 technologies developed in the past 20 years that experts previously deemed impossible or decades away, including smartphones, mRNA vaccines, reusable rockets, and language models.
- WATCH: Smartphones to blame for declining birth rates?
Researchers suggest smartphones may be a significant factor in declining birth rates. The article highlights a potential link between smartphone use and reduced fertility rates.
- Inflation inside the electronics you buy may soon become a bit more sticky
A current shortage of resin, a material used in electronics like smartphones, may lead to increased prices. Most consumers are unaware of resin's role in these devices.
- User-replaceable batteries are coming back in a big way
The European Union has enacted legislation requiring user-replaceable batteries in portable tech products like smartphones and tablets to enhance longevity, repairability, and recyclability. Two regulations, (EU) 2023/1670 and (EU) 2023/1542, mandate these design changes, with one already in effect and the other set to take effect next year.
- Investors, governments eye Israeli AI startup sifting oceans of raw video for intel
Airis Labs, an Israeli AI startup, has developed a platform to analyze vast amounts of visual data from sources like smartphones, drones, CCTV, and social media to extract intelligence rapidly. The technology gained attention after being utilized in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, drawing interest from investors and governments.
- Scientists create global treasure map pointing to hidden rare earth deposits
Scientists have created a global map identifying locations of rare earth element deposits by analyzing volcanic rocks and seismic data. They found these metal-rich rocks form in the ancient, thick roots of continents, which are critical for materials used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.
- Teens and screens: The smartphone trap
Smartphones, video games, and online homework are prevalent in teenagers' lives, leading to concerns about addiction and negative impacts on mental and physical health. French parents and teachers are advocating against excessive screen time.
- The Great Depopulation
Global birth rates are declining rapidly due to factors like technology, anxiety about the future, and societal shifts. Experts highlight the first-ever global fertility rate below replacement level, with significant implications for future population trends.
- UK faces 'economic catastrophe' unless it adapts to young people rewired by smartphones
The UK risks an 'economic catastrophe' if it fails to adapt to the changing behaviors of young people shaped by smartphone use. A file photo illustrates a teenage boy texting on his phone at home.