Excessive use of mobile phones is also making people lose sleep.
By PTI | Updated:
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MELBOURNE: Excessive use of mobile phones is making people lose sleep and become less productive, according to an Australian study that found a jump in 'technoference' over the past 13 years. Researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia surveyed 709 mobile phone users across Australia aged 18 to 83 in 2018, using questions replicated from a similar survey back in 2005.
They then compared the findings and discovered significant increases in people blaming their phones for losing sleep, becoming less productive, taking more risks while driving and even getting more aches and pains.
"When we talk about technoference we're referring to the everyday intrusions and interruptions that people experience due to mobile phones and their usage," said Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios from QUT.
"Our survey found technoference had increased among men and women, across all ages," said Oviedo-Trespalacios.
"For example, self-reports relating to loss of sleep and productivity showed that these negative outcomes had significantly increased during the last 13 years," he said.
Not all innovative tech is launched by big brands. Crowdfunding is a great way that small companies with big ideas can get the cash they need to get started.
ET rounds up some of his current favourites.
Not all innovative tech is launched by big brands. Crowdfunding is a great way that small companies with big ideas can get the cash they need to get started.ET rounds up some of his current favourite..
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A multi-screen computer setup offers several advantages for work and play. This is easy to do in your home or at the office but what about when you’re travelling or working out of a café? For such instances, Taihe Gemini is a portable 15.6-inch touchscreen display which weighs just 900 grams. You can get it in full HD (touchscreen) or 4K (non touch) resolution and it has a metal kickstand design to prop up at any viewing angle. Depending on the version you choose, it can have HDMI, USB Type-C, mini DisplayPort, 3.5mm audio and multiple USB ports (UHD variant only) for connectivity. You don’t have to worry about power because the Gemini has a built-in battery for up to 5 hours of backup. You can use it in landscape or portrait mode with your laptop, phone or console in mirror mode or as a second display. It’s currently on Kickstarter and the full HD variant is for US$ 219 while the 4K variant is US$ 299 with shipping estimated to begin in May 2019.
(Image: www.kickstarter.com)
A multi-screen computer setup offers several advantages for work and play. This is easy to do in your home or at the office but what about when you’re travelling or working out of a café? For such i..
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Only when you get a good laptop stand will you realize the difference it makes in terms of ergonomics. Trouble is, laptop stands are large and heavy — you don’t really want to add that weight to your existing laptop, especially if you move around a lot. MOFT is the world’s first invisible laptop stand that sticks to your laptop without adding much bulk. It’s made using polyurethane and fiberglass — you shouldn’t notice the 3mm thickness and 65 gram weight at all. It can be adjusted to raise the laptop up by 2 to 3.2-inches. MOFT works with laptops with up to 15.6-inch screens and uses removable glue to attach/detach without leaving residue. You can get it in four colours: gold, rose gold, silver & grey. At the time of writing, it has already been 22535% funded on Indiegogo. You can get your order in for US$ 19 with delivery in April 2019.
(Image: www.kickstarter.com)
Only when you get a good laptop stand will you realize the difference it makes in terms of ergonomics. Trouble is, laptop stands are large and heavy — you don’t really want to add that weight to you..
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It may look like a fat whiteboard marker but Zanco’s Smart Pen is actually several devices in one. They claim it’s the world’s thinnest mobile phone (it’s a feature phone but has a 0.96-inch colour display). It also has physical number and navigation buttons. Other features include a nano SIM slot, microSD slot for storage, 3.5mm jack, built-in dual mics, a call receiver speaker, loudspeaker, front camera and rear camera. For connectivity, it has Bluetooth 3.0 using which it can connect with a smartphone and act as Bluetooth headset. Not to forget, it also works as a touchscreen stylus, a laser pointer, voice recorder, Mp3/Mp4 player and has a voice changer feature. Battery life is about 6 hours on a single charge. At the time of writing, the project has already been funded and you can pre-order one for US$ 59 + shipping with delivery expected in April 2019.
(Image: www.kickstarter.com)
It may look like a fat whiteboard marker but Zanco’s Smart Pen is actually several devices in one. They claim it’s the world’s thinnest mobile phone (it’s a feature phone but has a 0.96-inch colour ..
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If you want a 100-inch or larger screen using a projector, you would need one of those heavy, bulky devices that consume a lot of power. The Piqo pocket projector changes this notion by projecting a 240-inch screen from a 2-inch size cube that weighs only 210 grams! It has full HD resolution, 200 lumens brightness (most pocket projectors only do 100 Lumens) and even has automatic keystone adjustment so that you get the best possible picture. It has HDMI input, 3.5mm audio out, a microSD card slot, USB port for media playback, plus WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. There are touch controls on top, built in speakers, a quad core processor, 16GB internal storage and a 5-hour battery life. Moreover, the projector is Android powered — you can install apps from Google Play Store and watch content without connecting any device. At the moment, the projector is available for an early bird price of US$ 349 on Indiegogo (Rs 25,000 approx.) with delivery expected in May 2019.
(Image: www.piqoprojector.com)
If you want a 100-inch or larger screen using a projector, you would need one of those heavy, bulky devices that consume a lot of power. The Piqo pocket projector changes this notion by projecting a ..
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With mobile gaming on an all-time high (thanks to games like PUBG), there is a lot of interest in smartphone gaming accessories. There are gaming docks and controllers available, but nothing looks quite like the Muja gaming pad. It sticks to the back of your phone using suction cups, connects over Bluetooth and is compatible with iOS and Android. This design ensures that the phone does not overheat. The touchpad is divided into four zones which can be customized for any controls. You get front as well as rear controls which is handy for FPS games. Muja has a built-in 450mAh battery which should last about 56 hours of gameplay on a single charge. The company behind the gamepad, HandScape Inc, will be offering it at a 50% discount compared to standard retail price when it goes live for funding in February 2019 on Indiegogo.
(Image: www.indiegogo.com)
With mobile gaming on an all-time high (thanks to games like PUBG), there is a lot of interest in smartphone gaming accessories. There are gaming docks and controllers available, but nothing looks q..
The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, suggest that mobile phones are potentially increasingly affecting aspects of daytime functioning due to lack of sleep and increasing dereliction of responsibilities.
According to the survey, one in five women (19.5 per cent) and one in eight men (11.8 per cent) now lose sleep due to the time they spend on their mobile phone.
About 12.6 per cent of the men said their productivity decreased as a direct result of the time they spend on their mobile -- compared to none in 2005 -- and 14 per cent of women have also noticed a productivity decline.
Over 54 per cent of women believe their friends will find it hard to get in touch with them if they do not have a mobile (up from 28.8 per cent), and 41.6 per cent of men thought this.
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Do you Often Feel Tired? Include These Foods In Your Diet To Stay High On Energy
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Low immunity and dipping energy taking a toll on your health?
We often tend to become less active due to the changes in weather. Following a hectic schedule, we are often deprived of 'me-time', as a result of which we resort to an unhealthy diet.
Good nutrition, plenty of water, and an active lifestyle are a few habits you must adopt this season, along with the following tips:
Low immunity and dipping energy taking a toll on your health?
We often tend to become less active due to the changes in weather. Following a hectic schedule, we are often deprived of 'me-time', as a..
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Keeping your tummy full and nourished is very important. Start your mornings with muesli to be high on energy all day long!
Muesli is a healthy mix of rolled oats, wheat flakes and corn flakes in different flavours. It is rich in dietary fibre, protein, iron, and anti-oxidants.
Keeping your tummy full and nourished is very important. Start your mornings with muesli to be high on energy all day long!
Muesli is a healthy mix of rolled oats, wheat flakes and corn flakes in di..
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Say no to sweet, carbonated drinks, and rather opt for a warm cup of green tea. Packed with powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients, green tea helps regulate blood sugar, improve brain function, and enhance metabolism.
This superdrink also helps in increasing the detoxification process in the body and aids weight loss.
Add a dash of honey, squeeze a lemon in your cup of green tea and make your day a tangy and zesty affair!
Say no to sweet, carbonated drinks, and rather opt for a warm cup of green tea. Packed with powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients, green tea helps regulate blood sugar, improve brain function, and enh..
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This blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is quite unlike any other sweetener on the planet. Honey is a great substitute for sugar, and helps in managing calories better while also adding many healthy nutrients in place of empty calories.
For a nutrition-filled, satisfying meal, dribble some multifloral honey over a bowl of muesli with skimmed milk.
This blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is quite unlike any other sweetener on the planet. Honey is a great substitute for sugar, and helps in managing calories better..
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An important habit is to keep yourself well-hydrated. If you find it hard to drink plain water, you can try adding lemon or fresh fruits to the water.
Water is important to keep the immune system healthy and to flush out toxins.
An important habit is to keep yourself well-hydrated. If you find it hard to drink plain water, you can try adding lemon or fresh fruits to the water. Water is important to keep the immune system hea..
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You can also indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. They also manage cholesterol levels, maintain healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of blood sugar and diabetes.
(Inputs: Dolly Kumar, Founder and Director, GAIA via IANS)
You can also indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. They also manage cholesterol levels..
About 8.4 per cent of women and 7.9 per cent of men have aches and pains they attribute to mobile phone use, researchers said.
The survey results also indicated that phones were being used as a coping strategy, with one in four women and one in six men saying they'd rather use their phone than deal with more pressing issues.
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"Rapid technological innovations over the past few years have led to dramatic changes in today's mobile phone technology -- which can improve the quality of life for phone users but also result in some negative outcomes," said Oviedo-Trespalacios.
"These include anxiety and, in some cases, engagement in unsafe behaviours with serious health and safety implications such as mobile phone distracted driving," he said.
Divas Of Tech: Women Who Broke Barriers & Made It Big
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Women are going places - and there is no denying that.
From classrooms to boardrooms, many women in the world of technology have proved their merit. Famous names like Debjani Ghosh, Padmasree Warrior and Sheryl Sandberg made it big, and have been an inspiration to the womankind.
On International Women's Day, here's a list of women who have managed to break the stereotype and carve a niche for themselves.
(In Pic: From left: Debjani Ghosh, Padmasree Warrior, Sheryl Sandberg)
Women are going places - and there is no denying that.From classrooms to boardrooms, many women in the world of technology have proved their merit. Famous names like Debjani Ghosh, Padmasree Warrior ..
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For the first time in three decades, NASSCOM appointed their first ever women President, Debjani Ghosh, in April 2018. She has been a strong advocate of gender diversity in the workplace. Before taking up the NASSCOM responsibility, she had worked with Intel Corporation for nearly two decades. A veteran in the field of technology, her endeavour is to make the domain of technology a level playing field. She plans to stress on innovation and skill development to enable individuals and enterprises to make the most of AI and Machine Learning. Her appointment to this position is a huge step in the direction of including women in the higher rungs of technology, which is otherwise male dominated.
For the first time in three decades, NASSCOM appointed their first ever women President, Debjani Ghosh, in April 2018. She has been a strong advocate of gender diversity in the workplace. Before taki..
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With the tech industry experiencing rapid growth, Deepa Madhavan believes that it's the right time for women to join forces to ensure a fair say in decision making. Before joining PayPal, Madhavan worked with Deloitte, and took a break to raise her three children. Deepa Madhavan, who has a Bachelors in Economics and a Masters in Computer Science, is also the force behind causes like 'Girls In Tech' and 'Unity'.
With the tech industry experiencing rapid growth, Deepa Madhavan believes that it's the right time for women to join forces to ensure a fair say in decision making. Before joining PayPal, Madhavan wo..
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As her name suggests, Padmasree is a true warrior. A role model for girls, she is the former CEO of NIO U.S., a Chinese electric car company which is considered Tesla's biggest rival. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Microsoft and Spotify. In the past, Warrior has also worked with Cisco and Motorola. Motorola Inc received a National Medal of Technology in 2004 when she was the CEO of the company. With 1.46 million followers on Twitter, she continues to mentor scores of women who dream of building a career in the field of technology.
As her name suggests, Padmasree is a true warrior. A role model for girls, she is the former CEO of NIO U.S., a Chinese electric car company which is considered Tesla's biggest rival. She is currentl..
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Roshni Nadar Malhotra is the HCL heiress and an IT stalwart. Born to Shiv Nadar and Kiran Nadar, Roshni was always sure of being a part of the empire that her parents created. She provides strategic guidance to HCL and is also closely associated with the philanthropic arm of the IT conglomerate. She manages to strike the perfect balance between her work, personal life and philanthropic activities with ease and efficiency. She became the CEO of the organisation at 28, and took a break when she became a mom to two doting sons. Promoting diversity in HCL is one of her biggest goals, and she hopes to see more women in the domain of technology.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra is the HCL heiress and an IT stalwart. Born to Shiv Nadar and Kiran Nadar, Roshni was always sure of being a part of the empire that her parents created. She provides strategic ..
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Rubbing shoulders with the men from the big, bad world of tech, Ginni Rometty has managed to carve a niche for herself in the technology industry. In a men-dominated industry, Rometty has been heading the computer giant since 2012. She has successfully featured in lists like, '50 Most Influential People in the World' and '50 Most Powerful Women in Business'. Ever since her leadership in IBM, she has managed to lead the company on the path of success. It was reported that the company was in the pits when she took over in 2012. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion has resulted in a sea change in IBM's work culture. The company offers extended parental leave to women, makes it easier for them return to the workforce, and encourages them to learn new skills to advance their careers. Thanks to their path-breaking work, last year, the company was recognised by the prestigious Catalyst Award for advancing diversity and women’s initiatives. In the past 20 years, it is the only tech company to have been recognised in this category, and the only company that was honoured four times.
Rubbing shoulders with the men from the big, bad world of tech, Ginni Rometty has managed to carve a niche for herself in the technology industry. In a men-dominated industry, Rometty has been headin..
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A best-selling author and an inspiration to girls all over, Sheryl Sandberg has remained strong even in the face of adversity. While Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg have been struggling with the perils of Cambridge Analytics, Sandberg has been the Rock of Gibraltar for the social media giant. She made it to the 11th position on Forbes Power Women list 2018 and 12th spot on America's Self-Made Women 2018. She recently faced flak for Facebook's involvement in a privacy battle and election hacking, but that hasn't stopped the Facebook COO from aggressively promoting corporate feminism, and advocating #MeToo at work.
A best-selling author and an inspiration to girls all over, Sheryl Sandberg has remained strong even in the face of adversity. While Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg have been struggling with the perils of ..
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With an estimated net worth of $300 million, she began her career with a startup that co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin established in her Menlo Park garage. Since then, Wojcicki has been an integral part of Google. She was the first Google employee to get pregnant. After that, she took the opportunity to change the parental leave policy at the company. Maternity leave was increased from 18 to 12 weeks in 2007, which reduced the attrition rate of new moms. She hires more women, both at beginning and senior levels to create a continuous cycle of female employees, which in turn helps in improving the work-culture, and reduces attrition in the company.
With an estimated net worth of $300 million, she began her career with a startup that co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin established in her Menlo Park garage. Since then, Wojcicki has been an int..
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Whitney Wolfe Herd's dating idea struck gold, and now she has a fortune of nearly $230 million. The app is valued at $1 billion. Herd was also the co-founder of Tinder which she left after claiming sexual harassment by her ex-boyfriend and Tinder co-founder, Justin Mateen. She completely changed how dating apps work with Bumble. In a world of dating apps, she empowered women to reach out to their matches first. Although, she was told that the idea didn't have much steam, nothing could stop her. And, the company's net worth speaks for itself.
Whitney Wolfe Herd's dating idea struck gold, and now she has a fortune of nearly $230 million. The app is valued at $1 billion. Herd was also the co-founder of Tinder which she left after claiming s..
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Renee James began her career as a R&D engineer, and left the company as the President in 2015. She spent 28 years in the company, and now has her own start-up Ampere which she spearheads as the CEO.
Renee James began her career as a R&D engineer, and left the company as the President in 2015. She spent 28 years in the company, and now has her own start-up Ampere which she spearheads as the CEO.
