Latest news with #Walkmans
Gulf Today
03-07-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Taking into account the times we forgot
Research shows that the average number of hours the British spend on their phones is around three and a half hours a day. This number could be right on weekdays when people are at work and they are expected to have all of their attention on their PCs and laptops. However, many office workers still steal a moment to look at their WhatsApp messages and social media feeds to see who's posted what. Then when lunch time comes around they're frequently seen dividing their attention between eating and watching something on the phones. In the old days when there were no phones, people divided their attention between their food and a quiet activity like reading a book, listening to music through their headphones on Walkmans or having a quiet chat with a friend or work colleague. But of course things have changed and the chances of spotting someone just eating and taking in their surroundings or reading a book or newspaper is a rare sight; that person is a disappearing breed. If someone like that were spotted in a public place today the chances are that other people might assume that they either didn't have data or that they couldn't afford a smartphone at all. Those people, much like myself, once in a while whip out our smartphones to check for messages but we choose not to spend our lives staring at the screen. When I'm out I never carry my mobile in my hand in full view of everyone. There's a risk that I might inadvertently put it down somewhere, forget about it and walk away. I always keep it in my handbag and only take it out if I need to make a call or if I have to answer it. But to most people, the mobile phone has become an extension of their hand and, unless they're cleaners or other professions like cashiers in supermarkets, most staff often have their phones in their back pockets. In fact, staff in certain jobs are prohibited from carrying their phones with them. The only slight reprieve people give themselves is when they might decide to turn on the television. But even that is rare. Many don't even own a TV, much like many who don't have a landline. Probably because the smartphone has replaced both. If people want to watch a movie, Netflix is their first bet and thereafter it's either YouTube or one of the many free movie sites. And if they want to catch the news, their first stop is social media. If they want to know which country did what or which politician said what to whom they'll head over to X, Instagram or Facebook. I know an American businessman who admitted to me that he got all his news from social media. How reliable that is, who knows. But, I suppose, the same could be said of the TV news outlets. I personally find watching and reading things on a small device rather cumbersome. I don't know how people think it's a better experience than watching a movie on the traditional big screen. You don't have to have that small phone stuck to your hand, you don't have to squint to see what you're reading and you certainly don't have to worry about your phone battery going flat at the crucial moment when you might need to make or take an important call. These things are sadly being taught to children. No sooner is a baby able to hold something properly, his parents hand him a phone to watch something to distract him while they talk or eat. The research says about three and a half hours but it doesn't say what day of the week. At the weekends, the number might be higher and it cannot be country specific Well this reminds me of a joke that I once spotted on social media some weeks ago. Thousands of years from now, archaeologists have dug up a city ruins and have unearthed human remains. Their narration would be, 'We found a now extinct human species that appeared to have some kind of rectangular object as an appendage on one hand.' This is what we'll be remembered for...
Int'l Business Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
iPhones Out, BlackBerrys In: Gen-Z Turns to Dumbphones in Bid to Break Free From Tech Addiction
In a surprising shift, a new trend is emerging among Gen Z: ditching their feature-rich smartphones for simpler, less distracting 'dumbphones.' This move isn't about nostalgia; it's a deliberate step by young people to reclaim their focus and break free from the constant pull of digital life. Many young people are trying to reconnect with the world around them. Their chosen method for this shift? 'Dumbphones' are reminiscent of the BlackBerrys that were popular during the millennial era. The Retro Revival It's quite ironic, however, that Gen Z is using social media—a platform that these simpler phones don't even support—to spread awareness of their move. A clear trend has been surfacing for months now: Young individuals, from their late teens to their mid-twenties, are showing a renewed interest in 'retro' technology, including Walkmans, iPods, and digital cameras. Notably, this latest Y2K craze is utterly baffling to older generations. On TikTok, a quick search for 'Blackberry' brings up countless videos of Gen Z users. These clips show them either buying old BlackBerry handsets from sites like eBay or unearthing them from their parents' closets. They then adorn them with rhinestones and keychains, proudly displaying the satisfyingly clicky, ASMR-worthy keyboards. For many, this BlackBerry trend simply extends the core of the ongoing 2000s nostalgia. This era was defined by popular aesthetics such as Britney Spears-inspired McBling, cyberfuturism, and Frutiger Aero. 'We've come full circle,' is a sentiment echoed in dozens of comments found on posts by TikTok content creators, such as @notchonnie, who uses her platform to showcase her extensive retro tech collection. A post shared by instagram 'I'm so sick of Apple, I would give up just about everything for a BlackBerry,' one user declared. Commenters also shared how they'd searched platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Back Market, hoping to find BlackBerry phones to replace their current smartphones. Breaking the Digital Chains For just a few hundred pounds, these Gen Z's, tired of constant digital demands, find a sense of calm. This choice, however, often puzzles older generations. They certainly remember the unreliable service, tiny keypads, and complicated ways of using these old devices. Compared to the cost of a new iPhone, which can now easily exceed up to $70 (£51.99) a month, and unlimited data plans that often reach seventy pounds a month, the BlackBerry is seen as an obvious choice for younger generations. This burgeoning anti-smartphone movement also offers many genuine opportunities to reconnect with the offline world and to become more mindful of what they consume digitally. Pascal Forget, a tech columnist in Montreal, conveyed this perspective to CBC News, observing: 'The smartphone is not a source of enjoyment anymore.' 'It used to be fun, but now [people are] addicted to it, so they want to go back to simpler times using a simpler device,' Forget noted. 'These are supposed to be the best moments of our life, but you look around, and people are scrolling,' Sammy Palazzolo, a TikTok content creator who uses a flip phone part-time, told USA Today. Reclaiming Real Life Despite being raised in the digital era, Generation Z and older members of Generation Alpha are starting to notice a pervasive reality: almost everyone, everywhere, seems perpetually engrossed by their phones. A 2024 study from the Pew Research Centre highlights a notable change: almost fifty per cent of teenagers today describe themselves as being online 'almost constantly'. This is a considerable jump from ten years earlier when only twenty-four per cent of adolescents reported the same. Some individuals have even reported experiencing the phantom sensation of a smartphone notification, while others admit that pressing the 'on' button has become nothing short of an automatic reflex. 'It just basically created this pattern where I was anxious, and so I'd open my smartphone, and then I would hate myself for opening my smartphone, which made me more anxious,' Charlie Fisher, a 20-year-old college student, told USA Today. Is Simpler the New Smart? To help with his digital detox, Fisher swapped his iPhone for a flip phone, and he has not regretted the change. 'I've been seeing things more like when I was a kid,' Fisher explained, shedding light on his recently discovered phone-free lifestyle. 'You really see things for how they are in the physical world, and your emotions are really attached to that,' he added. Beyond their lower cost, flip phones and 2000s-era tech, such as the BlackBerry, are believed by Gen Z to encourage more meaningful time with loved ones, foster new hobbies away from endless scrolling and binge-watching, and help achieve a better work-life balance. This naturally leads to a compelling question: could these young people truly be onto something significant? Originally published on IBTimes UK
Irish Examiner
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Eight fun and fab buys to liven up our homes inside and out
Inner pieces Analogue activities are making a major comeback, from mindful colouring to crafting with clay. Research shows that puzzles allow you to slow down, disconnect, and strengthen the short-term memory. Shop Vibes & Scribes' handpicked selection of art and travel-inspired jigsaws with pieces catering for jigsaw juniors to power puzzlers. Pieces & Peace Souk Marrakech, €24.99, transports me right back to a wonderful week I spent in Morocco, captivated by the colours, textures, and flavours of the beautiful Berber country. Pop into the store to browse the full range or shop online at Al-fresco furniture Interiors lovers, here's a tip: carve out some time in your schedule to visit family-run business Bracken's, situated in the Gorey Business Park. I've fallen head over heels for the Nardi Maximo outdoor five-piece modular sofa. Made from regenerated resin and textiles infused with recycled content, it isn't afraid of a bit of bad weather. Imagine you and your doggos, cats, or humans stretching out on this bad boy with a book/treat/toy mouse. For smaller spaces, Bracken's has plenty of quality alternatives for different spaces and budgets. Run, don't walk to this department store of dreams, visit the website, at your own risk. Blooming bargains If you think ditching the plastic-wrapped fresh fruit and veg is but a smug move, think again. Anyone who has tasted the flavours and aromas of fresh, seasonal, local produce will admit the contrast is undeniable. One of my favourite stalls in the English Market in Cork is The Roughty Foodie, offering the Holy Trinity of farmers' produce, fruit, veg, and the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. From wild sweet peas grown in Howe Hill to Bushby's chemical-free strawberries and pink peonies, their bouquets are incredibly well-priced. Houseplants range from €4 and bunches from €7. Check out @theroughtyfoodie on Instagram and the website at Carbonated comeback There was so much to love about the 80s; hair metal, yellow Walkmans, mix tapes and Tom Selleck's moustache. Along with chained-up payphones (what was that about?), the most coveted item in any 80s household was the SodaStream. Transforming your water and drinks into sparkling sodas, the technology behind it was fantastical. As a diehard San Pellegrino sparkling water fan, a carbonator would save me money and waste. Highly reviewed is the Aarke Carbonator 3 Sparkling Water Maker, €210, a sleek stainless-steel device with a matte burgundy finish. Created by those harbingers of taste, the Swedes, the aesthetic will not just blend into your kitchen but elevate its surroundings. The reviews are unanimously good, plus it's BPA, cordless and electricity-free. Get yours at Faerly ( an Irish online shop with sustainability at its heart and plastic-free shopping to boot. Mapping our history Long before we relied on Google Maps, paper maps were as commonplace as the white sliced pan. From the treasure maps made by older sisters to Easter egg hunts and roadside consultations, maps formed part of the fabric of daily life. As a post-colonial nation, it feels especially poignant to reclaim the landscape, original boundaries and Irish place names of the past. I haven't seen anything on the market that resembles these charming 3D wooden maps from Sligo business Outcrop. From €99, this West Cork map showing Kenmare, Sheep's Head, Bantry Bay, and Mizen Head is crafted from formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood and comes with a custom-made engraving. Purchase online at Eternal flames No screensaver can ever imitate the truly mesmerising look of fire burning from a wood-fired stove. Studies indicate the hypnotic flames of a real fire reduce blood pressure and calm the nervous system. Regardless of inclement weather, the RB73 Quaruba XL mobile outdoor fireplace, €2,095 from Croghan in Wexford, will stand the test of time. Made with Corten steel, the stove rusts over time, forming a protective patina to combat erosion. Chilly nights become cosy gatherings with this fire in your outdoor furniture arsenal. You may want to consider implementing a ban on acoustic guitars — just saying. This is available in-store or online at Sleep on it Sometimes we just want an item to do exactly what it says on the tin — no gimmicks, no fads. That's why I love this classic Monocle alarm clock from Unbound in Cork. At just €16.99, you can set your alarm for the morning and actually leave your phone outside the bedroom. I'll try anything for a good night's sleep: misting lavender, counting sheep, writing to worry dolls and shoving the poor craythurs under the pillow. But what if it was as simple as ditching the phone? Time to test the theory. Available at or at the Bridge Street store in Cork. Negative space Storage containers are my absolute weakness. Some people like hiking, others (ahem) like transporting items from one storage box to another one. Fruitless, maybe? Fun, oh, yes! So, when I spotted this mini-stool with extra storage, I was already thinking of ways to fit it into my tiny house. The geometric striped stool in yellow ochre just screams summer. It's available for €200 at Next or
Irish Examiner
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Eight fun and fab ideas for summer living
Puzzling pieces Analogue activities are making a major comeback, from mindful colouring to crafting with clay. Research shows that puzzles allow you to slow down, disconnect, and strengthen the short-term memory. Shop Vibes & Scribes' handpicked selection of art and travel-inspired jigsaws with pieces catering for jigsaw juniors to power puzzlers. Pieces & Peace Souk Marrakech, €24.99, transports me right back to a wonderful week I spent in Morocco, captivated by the colours, textures, and flavours of the beautiful Berber country. Pop into the store to browse the full range or shop online at Regenerated resin Interiors lovers, here's a tip: carve out time in your schedule to visit family-run business Bracken's, situated in Gorey Business Park. I've fallen head over heels for the Nardi Maximo outdoor five-piece modular sofa. Made from regenerated resin and textiles infused with recycled content, it isn't afraid of a bit of bad weather. Imagine you and your doggos or cats stretching out on this bad boy with a book and treat/toy mouse. Bracken's has plenty of quality alternatives for different spaces and budgets. Run, don't walk, to this department store of dreams. Visit the website, at your own risk. Local produce If you think ditching the plastic-wrapped fresh fruit and veg is but a smug move, think again. Anyone who has tasted the flavours and aromas of fresh, seasonal, local produce will admit the contrast is undeniable. One of my favourite stalls in the English Market in Cork is The Roughty Foodie, offering the Holy Trinity of farmers' produce, fruit & veg, and the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. From wild sweet peas grown in Howe Hill to Bushby's chemical-free strawberries and pink peonies, their bouquets are incredibly well priced. Houseplants range from €4 and bunches from €7. Check out @theroughtyfoodie on Instagram and the website at Carbonated comeback There was so much to love about the 1980s — hair metal, yellow Walkmans, mix tapes, and Tom Selleck's moustache. Along with chained-up payphones (what was that about?), the most coveted item in any household was the SodaStream. Transforming your water and drinks into sparkling sodas, the technology behind it was fantastical. As a diehard San Pellegrino sparkling water fan, a carbonator would save me money and waste. Highly reviewed is the Aarke Carbonator 3 Sparkling Water Maker, €210, a sleek stainless-steel device with a matte burgundy finish. Created by those harbingers of taste, the Swedes, the aesthetic will not just blend into your kitchen but elevate its surroundings. The reviews are unanimously good, plus it's BPA, cordless, and electricity-free. Get yours at Faerly ( an Irish online shop with sustainability at its heart and plastic-free shopping. Bamboo maps Long before we relied on Google Maps, paper maps were as commonplace as the white sliced pan. From the treasure maps made by older sisters to Easter egg hunts and roadside consultations, maps formed part of the fabric of daily life. As a post-colonial nation, it feels especially poignant to reclaim the landscape, original boundaries, and Irish place names of the past. I haven't seen anything on the market that resembles these charming 3D wooden maps from Sligo business Outcrop. From €99, this west Cork map showing Kenmare, Sheep's Head, Bantry Bay, and Mizen Head is crafted from formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood and comes with a custom-made engraving. Purchase online at Wake up Sometimes we just want an item to do exactly what it says on the tin — no gimmicks, no fads. That's why I love this classic Monocle alarm clock from Unbound in Cork. At just €16.99, you can set your alarm for the morning and actually leave your phone outside the bedroom. I'll try anything for a good night's sleep: misting lavender, counting sheep, or writing to worry dolls. But what if it was as simple as ditching the phone? Time to test the theory. Available at or at the Bridge St store in Cork. Cosy gatherings No screensaver can ever imitate the truly mesmerising look of fire burning from a wood-fired stove. Studies indicate the hypnotic flames of a real fire reduce blood pressure and calm the nervous system. Regardless of inclement weather, the RB73 Quaruba XL mobile outdoor fireplace, €2,095 from Croghan in Wexford, will stand the test of time. Made with Corten steel, the stove rusts over time, forming a protective patina to combat erosion. Chilly nights become cosy gatherings with this fire in your outdoor furniture arsenal. You may want to consider implementing a ban on acoustic guitars — just saying. This is available in store or online at Super storage Storage containers are my absolute weakness. Some people like hiking, others (ahem) like transporting items from one storage box to another. Fruitless, maybe? Fun, oh yes! So when I spotted this mini-stool with extra storage, I was already thinking of ways to fit it into my tiny house. The geometric striped stool in yellow ochre just screams summer. It's available for €200 at Next or
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Gen Z is swapping their smartphones for this retro alternative: ‘Need a social media detox'
Young folks are desperately trying to reconnect with the world around them. The method many have chosen? 'Dumbphones' — otherwise known as the millennial-era Blackberry. Ironically, Gen-Z is taking to social media — which isn't even supported on a dumbphones — to spread the word. For months now, users ranging in age from mid-20s to late teens have been demonstrating interest in 'retro' technology like Walkmans, iPods and digital cameras. 3 This content creator simply admires the retro aesthetic, rather than the clunky tech. TikTok/@vicvicvicvicvicc But the latest Y2K craze has older generations positively baffled. A quick TikTok search under the keyword 'Blackberry' will display thousands upon thousands of videos of Gen-Zers purchasing shelved Blackberry phones off of eBay or digging them out of their parents' closets, decorating them with rhinestones and keychains, and flaunting clicky ASMR-worthy keyboards. For many, the Blackberry craze is a continuation of 2000s nostalgia-core, a time when aesthetics like Britney Spears-esque McBling, cyberfuturism and Frutiger Aero ruled the trends. 'We've come full circle,' declare dozens of comments under posts by TikTok content creators like @notchonnie, who uses her platform to show off her massive retro tech collection 'I'm so sick of Apple, I would give up just about everything for a BlackBerry!' one user wrote. Commenters also shared how they scoured sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Back Market in search of Blackberry phones to supplant their modern smartphones. For just a few hundred dollars, these tech-tired Gen-Zers purchase peace of mind — and plenty of questions from older generations who no doubt remember the spotty service, super-small keyboards, and less-than-intuitive user interfaces. 3 Pew Research Center reports that as of 2024, up to 95% of Gen-Z have daily access to smartphones. Carlo – Compared to the price of a new iPhone, which these days can cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and unlimited data plans that run users up to $70 a month, younger generations see the Blackberry as a no-brainer. For many, the growing anti-smartphone movement is also a way to genuinely embrace the offline world and be more mindful about content consumption. 'The smartphone is not a source of enjoyment anymore,' Pascal Forget, a tech columnist in Montreal, told CBC News. 'It used to be fun, but now [people are] addicted to it, so they want to go back to simpler times using a simpler device.' 'These are supposed to be the best moments of our life, but you look around and people are scrolling,' Sammy Palazzolo, a TikTok content creator who uses a flip phone part-time, told USA Today. Though they've grown up in the digital age, Gen Zers, and even older members of Gen Alpha, are starting to catch on — no matter where you look these days, everyone is glued to their phone. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study on the subject, nearly half of teenagers today say they're online 'almost constantly,' compared to ten years ago, when 24% of teens answered the same. Some have even reported feeling the phantom buzz of a smartphone notification, and others have said that tapping the 'on' button is now nothing less than a reflex. 'It just basically created this pattern where I was anxious, and so I'd open my smartphone, and then I would hate myself for opening my smartphone, which made me more anxious,' Charlie Fisher, a 20-year-old college student, told USA Today. 3 This TikTok user was also fed up with her online life, so she bought a BlackBerry to try to jumpstart a change. TikTok/@ In facilitating his digital detox, Fisher ditched his iPhone for a flip phone, and according to him, he hasn't looked back since. 'I've been seeing things more like when I was a kid,' Fisher continued, elaborating on his newly-found phone-free lifestyle. 'You really see things for how they are in the physical world, and your emotions are really attached to that.' Flip-phones and 2000s-era tech like the BlackBerry aren't just cheaper. According to Gen-Z, they promote spending more quality time with family and friends, exploring other hobbies outside of doomscrolling and binge-watching, and finding a healthier work-life balance, which begs the question: are the kids actually onto something?
