When Apple latest software updates drop this month, users will have access to mental health and well-being features unlike anything currently available on a smartphone. With the Apple Watch and the iOS health app, Apple has long been aiming for this establish itself within the healthcare technology space. But the brand new features transcend the usual heart rate, sleep, calorie and fitness monitors that have change into universal in smart technology.
The latest mood tracker (called “State of Mind”) will ask users to rate how they feel each at random moments (from unpleasant to nice) and every day. Mental health questionnaires will enable users to pre-screen for depression (using the tool PHQ-9 screening tool) and anxiety (using GAD-7 screening tool), which might alert them to risk levels and connect them with licensed professionals of their area.
Finally, Apple is introducing a journaling app that may collect user data from photos, text messages, music/game/TV history, location, fitness, etc. to give users a holistic view of every day.
Those who use Apple ecosystem know that yes vast and powerfuland true Apple lovers will use Apple products for almost every digital experience.
This signifies that Apple can obtain unique details about a user’s life. What they propose with iOS 17 is to essentially hold a mirror to their users, allowing them to see their lives through their interactions with technology.
Mental health tracking
As a philosopher of psychology who studies how technology is changing the way in which people relate to their mental health, and as a die-hard Apple fan, I wanted to check out these latest features as soon as possible. I downloaded the general public beta of the software in July and wish to share my thoughts on how we are able to approach this latest technology.
State of Mind is straightforward to use. When opening the Health app after updating to iOS 17, I used to be prompted to start tracking my mental health. I can select to record my state at a particular time (for example, how did I feel at 2:30 PM today?) or to record my mental state throughout the day.
The sliding scale of mental states is visually appealing. The screen turns blue when I’m going to the “unpleasant” options and orange when I’m going to the “pleasant” options.
(Owen Chevalier), Provided by writer (no reuse)
Once the mental state is established, users are asked to provide context.
First, there’s a predetermined list of emotions that will describe the user’s mental state (for example, “anxious”, “satisfied”, “happy”, “excited”), after which an inventory of things that will contribute to this mental state ( similar to “work”, “friends”, “current events”). Here, users can enter something specific that will be included within the log.
If used day by day, users can access a calendar of day by day mental states and a chart visualizing the cycle of states in a given week, month or 12 months. Clicking on any data point will display details of that day, the momentary sentiments recorded by the user, and the context they provided.
The user interface works similarly to other health metrics Apple already records. It is a minimalist design that gives easily digestible data. Users can access mental health metrics on the app’s home screen along with other health-related data.
(Owen Chevalier)
By using the mental wellbeing features, I can not help but feel that they’re one step closer to being implemented transhumanismthat’s, the mix of man and technology and the eventual alternative of the human body with technology.
Instead of simply measuring fitness (tracking workouts, counting calories), the iPhone and Apple Watch can measure who I’m as a complete. They can define not only my lively life, but also my mental life. I can scroll through the definition of who I’m under the Apple brand. I can finally change into the right Apple version of myself.
At first glance, it’s price noting that I often rate higher on days when I’m lively and get enough sleep (although you do not need artificial intelligence to know this). However, as a researcher, I do know there are limits to what the info can tell us, based on the measurements we use and ours prejudices as interpreters.
I ponder how the typical Apple user will interpret this data and whether or not they will begin to shape their lives to get the graphs they need.
The late philosopher Ian Hacking describes: loop effect between people and the labels given to them. Looping effects are visible within the algorithm-based software we use. Researchers have found that TikTok channels have gotten increasingly more popular reflections on their self-awareness once they start to trust the AI conclusions derived from the feedback they supply.
However, TikTok’s algorithms usually are not a blank slate for creating self-concepts. They are designed for this put people into marketing categories to sell to advertisers.
Apple doesn’t try sell your data; his privacy policy states: “Apple does not share personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.” But its health app reflects corporate mandates and the world it wants to create.
In interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Apple’s greatest contribution to humanity will be improving people’s health and well-being.”
Apple is an organization of ideals. Compared to traditional computer marketing, which emphasizes performance specifications, Apple pioneered computer sales by promoting who a Mac user could be. That was their goal “Think different” campaign. Even when Apple discusses the technical details of computer performance, it does so through flashy visuals and vague language difficult to assess precisely their products against competitors.
(Apple)
The message is obvious: an Apple user will not be just someone who has some technology, but someone who’s cool, creative, colourful and individualistic. Now they can also be healthy and well-adjusted.
However, corporate mandates may be empty because their essence is to increase profits. Apple’s success as an organization is due to its skills have a consumer.
Thanks to the hermetic ecosystem, users change into depending on Apple for all their digital needs. By integrating health into this ecosystem, these users may depend on Apple for their well-being. I’m undecided what happens when people incorporate Apple’s image into their self-concept, but it’d make them higher consumers and more productive staff. Ultimately, that’s the goal corporate mental health.
Just as spa days and five-minute yoga breaks can only help improve mental health, it’s unclear whether iOS 17 is the medical revolution Apple hopes it will be.
