Apple needs you to turn off your iPhone (but not too much)
The constant dings, the endless scrolling, the privacy worries, the neck aches.
How can anyone love a phone anymore?
It's become this expensive tool that is vital for your success, and yet also leaves you feeling awful about yourself.
And now the companies that make phones are having to make software to help you not hate their products.
How did we get here?
I'm Bridgette Carey.
Let's break it down.
Ten years ago, when the iPhone's app store launched, we were told there is an app for anything you can imagine.
There's a map for just about anything, only on the iPhone.
Fast forward to today.
Now it's, well I'm sorry, do you suffer from phone addiction?
Don't worry, now there's an app for that.
Both Google and Apple introduced new settings in apps to put time limits on your use to remind you to take a break.
You'll also be able to get reports on how much you're using the phone And silence notifications anytime you just wanna be left alone.
When Apple unveiled these new options this week at WWDC, it threw plenty of shade at apps like Facebook for being the problem, and with good reason.
Apps today are purposefully designed to manipulate our lizard brains with just the right lights, and sounds, and swipes to keep us clicking, and liking, and watching.
But Apple created the device that lets the problem flourish.
The iPhone is the playground for apps, but the apps have gotten out of control.
There's just too much hitting you and drawing you in for more.
Facebook is poisoning the Apple and we're all getting sick.
But when Apple comes out with these new screen limits, it's not because Apple wants to save us.
Apple needs to do this to save for the iPhone, to save itself, because if you hate your phone, if you hate how it makes you feel, if you despise the whole experience of being dependent on a phone, well then, who cares what you buy, or if you need a new phone at all.
Once you reach that point the game is over for Apple.
Let me say that I do love that we're finally getting more controls to curb our dependence.
And it's also fantastic that parents have more ways to limit and track their kids' usage.
But next time Apple paints Facebook as the villain, when these phone makers say they really now care about your digital health Just don't forget, Apple still needs Facebook, and Instagram, and YouTube, and all the rest.
They want you to buy that new phone with the better camera to share your shouts on Instagram and watch those great movies on their shiny new screens.
These companies need you to back off but only so that you don't hate them They don't want to cure your addiction completely.
Afterall, you got to stay a little addicted to keep buying a new phone every year, right?
Up Next
Coolest robots coming this year
Up Next
Coolest robots coming this year
How Disney Plus' war with Netflix is a pain
How Disney Plus' war with Netflix is a pain
Barbie at 60 is a tech and science wiz
Barbie at 60 is a tech and science wiz
How Fortnite, AR and YouTube influence toys
How Fortnite, AR and YouTube influence toys
Explaining 5G with a game of pool
Explaining 5G with a game of pool
iPhone Face ID myths, tricks and why it doesn't always work
iPhone Face ID myths, tricks and why it doesn't always work
DNA data storage could solve a big problem
DNA data storage could solve a big problem
Getting real about AR: Magic Leap and the hologram era
Getting real about AR: Magic Leap and the hologram era
Trump slams 'shadow banning' on Twitter: What even is that?
Trump slams 'shadow banning' on Twitter: What even is that?
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro