Apple iPod Co-Inventor Tony Fadell on Combating Addictive Quality of Technology
Apple is responding after two major investors penned a letter to the tech giant, calling on it to combat smartphone addiction among kids. Apple announced it will make parental controls more robust. iPod co-inventor and one of the lead designers of the iPhone Tony Fadell explains ways people, and businesses can combat addictive quality of technology.
"Now we are dealing with the unintended consequences of this technology," said Fadell. "Today we do not have the information at our fingertips to allow us to see what our digital life looks like." Fadell explains its imperative for companies to give us our data back to us, to blend it with our personal data to better understand and improve the way we use technology.
In a statement to USA Today Tuesday Apple said, "Apple has always looked out for kids, and we work hard to create powerful products that inspire, entertain, and educate children while also helping parents protect them online."
"This is an adults issue as well as a kids issue, so we have to think broader," says Fadell. "I'm sure they'll do the right thing. Hopefully Google and others do the same thing."
Parallel Systems has been selected to receive $4.5 million from the Department of Energy for an advanced testing program of its autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles. The startup, which has raised more than $53 million to date, was founded by former SpaceX engineers to reimagine the rail system by creating a more efficient, decarbonized freight network. Matt Soule, Co-founder & CEO of Parallel Systems, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss what the company hopes to achieve.
A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) aims to tackle the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, as well as the addictive nature of the sites and negative mental health impacts they have on users. The 'Nudge Act' would require studies to find and compile potential interventions that platforms could use to encourage people to think before they share a post, or log off after spending too much time on an app. The FTC would create rules based on these findings, and hold the platforms accountable. But will it work? Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, joins Closing Bell to discuss the bill, whether real results and regulations could come from it, and more.
