Articles tagged with Smartphones
A study by Kent State researchers found that using smartphones for texting, talking, or listening to music during exercise can negatively impact physical performance. Conversely, exercising with a phone without using it for communication or entertainment increased treadmill speed, heart rate, and enjoyment.
Researchers developed a mobile app that transforms digital sketches into walking routes, allowing users to share unique experiences with friends. The app aims to encourage reflection and communication, rather than competition or efficiency, and explores how GIS mapping technology shapes our experience of walking.
Researchers found that mobile shoppers tend to purchase items they've purchased before or from familiar brands, due to limited smartphone screen size. Low spenders also shop more frequently after adopting mobile shopping, leading to larger orders.
A team of University of Houston researchers has developed a lens that turns smartphones into microscopes, achieving 120x magnification at an affordable cost. The lens uses a polydimethylsiloxane material and can be attached directly to the smartphone camera, making it ideal for educational purposes.
Researchers developed a smartphone attachment that can image and size single DNA molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. The device is intended for use in remote laboratory settings to diagnose various types of cancers and nervous system disorders.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive alternative to touchscreens, called Acoustruments, which can be added to any device. These mechanisms use pluggable plastic tubes and structures to connect the smartphone's speaker with its microphone, allowing users to control devices using acoustically altered sounds.
While some health apps have shown promise in improving weight loss and physical activity, others have yielded conflicting results. Iltifat Husain argues that doctors should recommend tested and validated apps to help people stay healthy. Des Spence cautions that many health apps are untested and may even cause anxiety and medical harm.
Researchers found that smartphones' GPS receivers can detect permanent ground movement caused by fault motion during large earthquakes. Crowd-sourced smartphone data can be used to build earthquake warning systems, providing early warnings to people in affected areas before strong shaking begins.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a smartphone-based device that uses hyperspectral imaging to identify the chemical composition of objects. The technology has potential applications in fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, and homeland security.
A new study found that apps with ads consume more energy, slow down phones, and use up to 100% more data than those without ads, leading to lower user ratings. The research compared 21 top apps from the past year and measured their impact on phones using analysis tools.
Researchers found that combining different photos of a user leads to better recognition on Samsung Galaxy phones, often to perfect levels. Storing an 'average' image formed by morphing together several photos can greatly improve performance.
A new mobile phone app, LifeRhythm, detects depression symptoms by analyzing user behavior such as activity levels and social interactions. The technology has the potential to revolutionize depression diagnosis, providing an objective and automated screening method.
Researchers used crowdsourced measurements to study energy impact of smartphone system settings. The study found that certain settings, such as Wi-Fi signal strength and temperature, can significantly affect battery life.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that when smartphone users learn the frequency of app location sharing, they quickly limit further sharing. Participants who received daily 'privacy nudges' detailing their app's access to sensitive information restricted permissions more than those who used an app permission manager.
Research suggests that too much artificial light in the evening can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm and lead to health problems such as breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, and depression. Experts recommend using devices with dimmer, longer wavelengths of light in the evening to minimize disruption.
Research suggests that smartphone users who rely on gut feelings tend to use their device's search engine rather than their own brainpower. Highly analytical thinkers spend less time using smartphones, indicating a possible link between heavy smartphone use and lowered intelligence.
Researchers will test electrically-small biomimetic antenna arrays inspired by insect ear systems to increase data rate and reduce size of mobile devices. The project aims to develop signaling techniques suitable for full potential of MIMO antennas, enabling faster communication speeds.
A recent Finnish-Swiss-Belgian study finds that technology changes the teacher's role from a traditional knowledge provider into a facilitator guiding students' learning processes and engaging in joint problem-solving. Technology offers new types of learning possibilities, including interactive learning and teaching opportunities.
A new study published in JAMA found that smartphone apps are as accurate as wearable devices in tracking physical activity. The research used 10 top-selling smartphone apps and devices to compare their accuracy, with results showing smartphones were only slightly off from the observed step counts.
A recent study found that smartphone applications and wearable devices are generally accurate in tracking step counts, with minimal variation between devices. However, some wearables reported higher or lower counts than observed, highlighting the need for device accuracy assessment.
Researchers aim to enhance speech signals and classify background noise using powerful smartphone processors and machine learning algorithms. The project has the potential to create a wide collection of smartphone apps for use with hearing aid devices.
Researchers developed a smartphone accessory that performs a lab-based blood test in just 15 minutes, detecting three infectious disease markers from a finger prick of blood. The device has a manufacturing cost of $34 and can be attached to any compatible smartphone for rapid diagnosis.
Teenagers who own smartphones spend more time online during the night, leading to an increased risk of poor sleep and depressive symptoms. Smartphone use at night is associated with a higher likelihood of sleep disturbances.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are investigating information leaks from laptops and smartphones, which can be used by hackers to spy on users even when not connected to the internet. They have developed a metric to measure the strength of these 'side-channel signals' and are studying where they originate to develop countermeasures.
Regular smartphone use reshapes brain activity in response to touchscreen interactions, with the thumb being particularly sensitive to changes. The study found that smartphone users' brains show enhanced electrical activity when all three fingertips are touched, and this activity is directly proportional to phone use intensity.
A new study found that only 18% of seniors with Type 2 diabetes use apps to manage their condition, despite interest in web and mobile applications. The study suggests that age-related confidence in technology use is a significant barrier to adoption.
Researchers have developed a new sensor that can detect gaseous ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and cyclohexanone wirelessly using a smartphone. The sensors, made from modified NFC tags, require almost no energy and can function at ambient temperatures.
Researchers at Kent State University found that college students who spent more time on their smartphones during leisure activities experienced decreased enjoyment and increased stress. The study suggests that excessive phone use can diminish the experience of daily leisure, leading to feelings of uptightness and anxiety.
Researchers are exploring software-defined cellular networking to provide next-generation mobile broadband with speeds of up to 10 Gbits/s. The proposed end-to-end architecture offers flexibility, scalability, agility, and efficiency, while overcoming bandwidth shortages and improving quality of service.
Researchers developed a method to securely display 3D images on smartphones by scanning QR codes without accessing the Internet. The system uses integral imaging and encryption to protect data, ensuring only authorized devices can access the content.
A new smartphone app developed by Rutgers engineers helps Warren Township document and mitigate hundreds of hazards to power lines, reducing the risk of future power outages. The app uses crowdsourcing to gather data from volunteers, which is then presented to utility companies in an organized manner.
A study by Seok Kang, a UTSA associate professor, analyzed the smartphone habits of over 1,600 college students from the US and South Korea. American students used their phones mainly for email, texting, and social media, while Korean students were more interested in entertainment and information gathering.
A new smartphone-based tool has been developed to monitor diabetic eye disease, offering comparable results to traditional equipment. The tool, called D-Eye, uses a small optical adapter that attaches magnetically to an iPhone and enables ophthalmologists to evaluate the severity of the disease.
A new algorithm developed by ETH Zurich researchers enables smartphones to understand hand gestures, allowing users to control their devices with ease. The program recognizes six different gestures and executes corresponding commands, such as switching between browser tabs or scrolling pages.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have extended the lifetime of blue organic light emitting diodes by a factor of 10, improving OLED efficiencies for smartphones and large-screen TVs. The new design spreads out light-producing energy to prevent damaging synergy, resulting in a tenfold increase in lifetime.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that people drink more alcohol on days when they exercise, particularly Thursdays to Sundays. The study used smartphone technology to record daily physical activity and alcohol use, and found uniform results across age groups.
University of Washington researchers create a system that uses reflected smartphone signals to recognize and respond to hand gestures, enabling users to interact with their phones beyond touchscreens. The technology has an accuracy rate of 87% and could improve battery life.
A Dartmouth smartphone app assesses users' mental health, academic performance and behavioral trends using passive sensor data, finding correlations between sleep, social activity, stress levels and GPA. The app could provide continuous mental health evaluation and intervene to boost academic performance.
A simple, disposable testing device analyzes a single droplet of blood to diagnose anemia, with results available in about 60 seconds. The device has shown promising sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional hematology analyzers.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that smartphone applications like 'Lose It' enhance dietary self-monitoring, leading to improved consistency and reduced missed entries. However, they did not significantly impact diet quality.
A recent study found that smartphone apps can help users track their dietary data more consistently and accurately than traditional methods. The research used a commercially available app, recording dietary intake using the memo function of smartphones, and paper and pencil for comparison.
A new system called DENDROID facilitates malware identification in smartphones by analyzing app structures and family relationships. This tool enables security analysts to classify unknown malware samples and track potential ancestors, enhancing their ability to detect and analyze complex threats.
The BiliCam app uses a smartphone's camera and flash to take a picture of a baby's belly, which is then analyzed by machine-learning algorithms to detect bilirubin levels. This non-invasive tool could replace current screening methods, especially in resource-poor areas where access to medical care is limited.
A Canadian team outlines possible coping mechanisms for lost or stolen mobile devices, highlighting the importance of user awareness and organization security measures. The researchers found that many users are either unaware or unwilling to use security countermeasures, leaving them vulnerable to data loss risks.
University of Washington engineers have designed a new communication system that uses radio frequency signals as a power source and reuses existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to provide Internet connectivity. This technology, called Wi-Fi backscatter, enables battery-free devices to connect to the internet, overcoming a major hurdle in the w...
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that crowdsourced ratings of food pictures by app users are comparable to those given by trained experts. This suggests that crowdsourcing may be a viable way to improve adherence to dietary self-monitoring and support weight loss.
A smartphone app study tracked daily activities and stool samples to analyze the impact of life events on gut microbiota. The results showed that specific events, such as moving abroad or getting food poisoning, significantly altered the composition of gut bacteria.
Researchers found that mobile display ads are effective for products with practical uses and high involvement, but less so for luxurious or low-involvement products. By understanding these nuances, marketers can optimize their advertising strategies and improve return on investment.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way to visualize daily activity patterns over time, helping users understand their habits and make meaningful changes. The study found that participants who used this visualization tool had an easier time meeting personal fitness goals.
A study by Kansas State University researcher Sooyeol Kim found that employees who take short smartphone breaks throughout the day are happier at the end of the workday. Microbreaks, defined as non-working-related behaviors during working hours, can provide employees with refreshment and help them cope with stressors.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center developed a simple saliva test that uses a smartphone to quantify and interpret cortisol levels in five minutes. This new technology helps identify adrenal insufficiency, monitor cortisol replacement, and assess physiologic changes in adrenal function.
Researchers found 82% of common bacteria on participants' fingers also present on their smartphones. Women were more closely connected to their phones than men, with the most commonly found bacteria including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium.
Researchers have developed a device that uses smartphones to measure cortisol levels in saliva, providing an inexpensive alternative to current lab-based tests. The new technology is expected to cost less than $5 and take less than 10 minutes to administer.
Researchers developed a smart glass micro-iris that controls light entry with minimal power consumption, overcoming traditional mechanical blade limitations in camera-integrated devices. The device demonstrates improved depth of focus and optical contrast, paving the way for next-generation smartphone cameras.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that non-academic Internet use in class leads to lower exam scores for all students, not just those with lower intellectual abilities. The study suggests that the engaging nature of internet use can be a significant distraction and negatively impact academic performance.
A US study suggests that smartphone apps pose a higher risk of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among gay men, who are more likely to engage in unprotected sex with anonymous partners. The study found that app users were 23% more likely to be infected with gonorrhoea and 35% more likely to be infected with chlamydia.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed a shatterproof screen technology using a transparent electrode that is tough, flexible and cost-effective. The new film can withstand repeated scotch tape peeling and bending tests, offering a potential replacement for traditional touchscreen displays.
The Net Children Go Mobile Project found that 46% of children own a smartphone and 41% use it daily, leading to increased digital skills but also online risks such as cyberbullying and exposure to sexual content. However, mobile internet access does not create vulnerability, and younger users are more likely to be affected by these risks.
A new study finds that too many product photos can lead to visual homogenization, reducing the ability to discern one product from another. Taking a mental break and returning to the shopping cart for a final decision may be an effective way to overcome this effect.
A smartphone app has shown promise in detecting early signs of mood changes in people with bipolar disorder through voice analysis during everyday phone conversations. The app, called PRIORI, analyzes broad features and properties of speech to identify potential mood swings.