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New Delhi: Many adults and youngsters spend nearly a third of their time awake hooked to smartphones—an addiction phonemakers are trying to tackle by incorporating features that allow users to meaningfully take time off from their screens. Smartphone brands such as Vivo, Oppo and HMD have recognized the need for digital detox as a business opportunity, building strategies to cater to a growing preference for switching off—such as Zen Mode by OnePlus. Vivo, in fact, published a study earlier this month on the impact of smartphones on parent-child relationships. It found parents spend 5.5 hours and children about 4.5 hours on their phones each day, with social media and entertainment consuming a majority of this time. Vivo found that about 64% of the children who participated in its study felt they were addicted to their phones. About “73% of parents and 69% of children identify excessive smartphone usage as a major source of conflict," Vivo said in its report. A majority of the children surveyed—94%—said their parents’ smartphones should only include essential features such as calling, messaging and camera—excluding gaming and social media. Additionally, 66% of the children expressed willingness to leave social media if their friends did too, while one in three wished certain social media apps had never been invented. Also, 57% of the parents surveyed said that the first and last thing they saw soon after waking up and before going to bed was their smartphone. About 84% of the parents and 76% of the children that were part of the study said they aspired to build deeper connections and create meaningful moments by turning off their smartphones—in other words, a digital detox. Analysts tracking the sector say the need for digital detox has emerged from the excessive use of data on smartphones. This is largely owing to low-cost data plans being made available in the country, distinctly different from developed markets where data plans are high-cost and data usage is accordingly low. “The average time spent on smartphones has increased from 2-3 hours in 2015-16 to 4-5 hours today with a far younger user profile keen on building and boosting their digital presence," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research. “The phenomenon is on the rise in the West, which is leading to the rise in use of featurephones with limited app functionality, which we’re yet to see in India. Perhaps we will see this becoming more mainstream in 2026," Pathak added. Detox mode or featurephone? Meanwhile, smartphone brands are introducing optional detox features on their devices. Some featurephone makers even go so far as to claim that the answer to digital detoxing is a 2G handset. “We have introduced Detox Mode on our HMD Skyline smartphones—a user-friendly feature designed to help individuals take intentional breaks from their devices," said Ravi Kunwar, chief executive and vice president, India and Asia-Pacific, at HMD, a Finnish company that sells smartphones under both HMD and Nokia brands. “Detox Mode allows users to temporarily hide their most distracting apps with just three simple clicks, enabling them to focus on work, spend quality time with loved ones, or recharge without constant digital interruptions." Kunwar added that Nokia and HMD featurephones were also evolving to include features such as UPI payments and improved usability. This, he said, would provide users with essential tools and reduce dependency on smartphones, making digital detox more accessible and convenient. “Technology should benefit mankind," added Peter Dohyung Lee, head of product strategy at OPPO, on the company’s plans to cater to the growing need for digital or smartphone detox. “We know it’s a long journey with constant fine-tuning." Vivo, on the other hand, has partnered with Catherine Price, the founder of Screen/Life Balance and the author of . Price has created a list of suggestions and advice for users to inculcate healthier smartphone habits. “All our devices come equipped with robust digital wellbeing tools, where users have the option to set time limits on apps, switch to do-not-disturb, designate focus modes, and set screen-time reminders," a spokesperson for Vivo said in response to ’s queries.Asha Bhosle X Tauba Tauba: Legendary Singer Dances On Karan Aujla-Vicky Kaushal’s Song, Fans Say ‘So Sad She Has To...’Republicans lash out at Democrats' claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is 'compromised'NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. People are also reading... Trump, Musk can learn from North Carolina, Raleigh writer says Statesville native Tomlin leads Delaware State to MEAC volleyball title, NCAA berth Top vote-getter Houpe: Why am I not chairman of Iredell board of commissioners? Letter to the editor: Charging kids to play baseball at Jennings Park is poor idea Iredell-Statesville Schools closed Tuesday due to snow, ice Iredell-Statesville Schools nutrition department receives award 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe North Dakota man brings shed-building expertise to Troutman 4 pounds of marijuana, gun seized by Mooresville police officers Tiny, 4 more dogs seeking homes at Iredell County Animal Services New school chairman rules 2 fellow board members out of order in Iredell Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes 3 Eagle Scouts and 1 grateful Iredell County resident Women report widespread misogyny in churches tied to religious group 'The Message' Iredell County woman celebrates $100,000 scratch-off win The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera Coyote football coach Kenny Paolinelli gives senior quarterback Joel Arellano a hug after Friday’s Div. III Championship game loss to Kerman. With all the pomp and circumstances of a championship game, the Madera Coyotes were shut out in the second half while the Kerman Lions scored a pair of touchdowns to win the Div. III Championship in front of a full house at Memorial Stadium for the final time. The teams were tied at the half, 28-28, but the Coyotes couldn’t take advantage of two trips deep into Kerman territory and the Lions countered with a pair of touchdowns for a 42-28 victory Friday. Friday’s game at Memorial Stadium was the final one in the current configuration. The Stadium will undergo modernization construction that will upgrade the stadium when it opens in two years.