The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Apple wants to know if you’re happy or sad as part of its latest software update. Who will this benefit?

  • Written by Peter Koval, Associate Professor of Psychology, The University of Melbourne
Apple wants to know if you’re happy or sad as part of its latest software update. Who will this benefit?

Apple’s iOS 17 operating system is expected to drop[1] any day. The software update comes with several new features, including a tool for daily mood and emotion logging – a technique known to emotion researchers as “experience sampling[2]”.

Although there are caveats, certain mental health studies[3] have shown that regularly recording one’s feelings can be useful. However, given the vast amount of health data Apple already harvests from customers[4], why does it also want to record their subjective feelings? And how helpful might this be for users?

How it works

With the latest software update, Apple’s in-built Health app[5] will allow iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users to record how they feel on a sliding scale from “very unpleasant” to “very pleasant”.

The emotion-tracking tool allows users to move a slider that changes the screen from purple (unpleasant), to blue/green (neutral), to orange (pleasant). Apple

Users will then select from a list of adjectives to label their feelings and indicate which factors – including health, fitness, relationships, work, money and current events – have most influenced how they feel.

The goal is to give users daily and weekly summaries of their feelings, alongside data on factors that may have influenced them. Apple claims this will[6] help users “build emotional awareness and resilience”.

Why does Apple care about our feelings?

Apple already collected copious amounts of health data prior to this update. The iPhone is equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope[7], light meter, microphone, camera and GPS, while the Apple Watch can also record skin temperature and heart rate. Why does Apple now want users to log how they feel as well?

Driven by a range of potential applications – from fraud detection to enhanced customer experience and personalised marketing - the emotion detection and recognition industry is projected to be worth US$56 billion (A$86.9 billion) by 2024[8]. And Apple is one of[9] numerous technology companies that have invested in trying to detect people’s emotions from sensor recordings.

Read more: Imagine if technology could read and react to our emotions[10]

However, scientists are divided[11] over whether emotions can be inferred from such bodily signals. Research reviews suggest neither facial expressions[12] nor physiological responses[13] can be used to reliably infer what emotions someone is experiencing.

By adding self-report to its methodological toolkit, Apple may be recognising that subjective experience is essential to understanding human emotion[14] and, it seems, abandoning the goal of inferring emotions solely from “objective” data.

The science behind experience sampling

Apple’s new feature allows users to record their feelings “right now” (labelled emotions) or “overall today” (designated moods). Is this a valid distinction?

Although scientific consensus remains elusive, emotions are typically defined as being about something[15]: I am angry at my boss because she rejected my proposal. On the other hand, moods are not consciously tied to specific events[16]: I’m feeling grumpy, but I don’t know why.

Apple’s two reporting methods don’t neatly distinguish emotions from moods, even though they rely on different cognitive processes[17] that can produce divergent estimates of people’s feelings[18].

If the new feature allowed users to independently select both the time frame (momentary or daily) and type of feeling (directed emotion or diffuse mood) being experienced, this could help make users more aware of biases in how they remember feelings. It may even help people identify the often obscure causes of their moods.

Apple’s feeling slider asks people how pleasant or unpleasant they feel. This captures the primary dimension of feeling, known as valence[19], but neglects other essential dimensions[20].

Moreover, scientists debate whether pleasantness and unpleasantness are opposite sides of a continuum, as the feature assumes, or whether they can co-occur as mixed emotions[21]. Measuring pleasant and unpleasant feelings separately would allow users to report mixed feelings, which are common in everyday life[22].

Some research also suggests knowing how pleasant and unpleasant someone is feeling can be used to infer the second fundamental dimension of their feelings[23], namely their level of arousal[24] – such as how “tense” or “calm” they are.

After they have rated the valence of the feelings, Apple’s feature asks users to label their feelings using a list of adjectives such as “grateful”, “worried”, “happy” or “discouraged”.

Do these options capture the breadth of human feelings? The number of unique emotion categories[25] – or whether discrete emotion categories exist at all[26] – is a topic of ongoing scientific debate[27]. Yet, Apple’s initial list of feeling categories provides pretty decent coverage of this space.

What are the benefits?

Apple’s claim that mood and emotion tracking may improve users’ wellbeing is not unfounded. Research has shown monitoring and labelling feelings enhances people’s ability to differentiate between emotions[28], and helps them cope with distress[29]. Both of these are key ingredients for healthy psychological functioning.

Beyond that, emerging research suggests that patterns of moment-to-moment fluctuations in people’s everyday feelings may be useful in predicting who is at risk of developing depression[30] or other mental illnesses.

Apple’s history of research collaboration[31] offers hope that tracking people’s feelings on a massive scale may lead to scientific breakthroughs[32] in our understanding, treatment and prevention of common mental health disorders.

What are the risks?

At the same time, Apple is asking users to hand over yet more of their personal data – so we can’t overlook the potential pitfalls of the new feature.

Apple assures users[33] the Health app is “designed for privacy and security” with a range of safeguards[34], including data encryption and user control over data sharing. It guarantees health data “may not be used for advertising, marketing, or sold to data brokers”.

This may sound encouraging, but Apple’s data privacy record is far from perfect[35]. The company was recently fined by French authorities for using customers’ data[36] for targeted advertising without consent.

Detailed data on users’ self-reported moods and emotions could also potentially be used for advertising products and services[37]. The potential for misuse[38] and commodification[39] of sensitive mental health data is real, suggesting a need for stricter regulation[40] over how companies collect, store and use customers’ data.

Before you dive into using Apple’s new mood and emotion-tracking feature, we’d urge you to consider whether the risks[41] outweigh the potential benefits for you.

References

  1. ^ expected to drop (www.apple.com)
  2. ^ experience sampling (doi.org)
  3. ^ mental health studies (doi.org)
  4. ^ harvests from customers (www.healthline.com)
  5. ^ Health app (www.apple.com)
  6. ^ claims this will (www.apple.com)
  7. ^ gyroscope (www.techtarget.com)
  8. ^ US$56 billion (A$86.9 billion) by 2024 (www.businesswire.com)
  9. ^ one of (www.reuters.com)
  10. ^ Imagine if technology could read and react to our emotions (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ scientists are divided (www.nature.com)
  12. ^ facial expressions (doi.org)
  13. ^ physiological responses (doi.org)
  14. ^ understanding human emotion (doi.org)
  15. ^ about something (journals.sagepub.com)
  16. ^ tied to specific events (doi.org)
  17. ^ different cognitive processes (doi.org)
  18. ^ of people’s feelings (doi.org)
  19. ^ known as valence (doi.org)
  20. ^ other essential dimensions (doi.org)
  21. ^ mixed emotions (doi.org)
  22. ^ in everyday life (doi.org)
  23. ^ dimension of their feelings (doi.org)
  24. ^ level of arousal (doi.org)
  25. ^ unique emotion categories (doi.org)
  26. ^ exist at all (doi.org)
  27. ^ scientific debate (doi.org)
  28. ^ differentiate between emotions (doi.org)
  29. ^ cope with distress (doi.org)
  30. ^ at risk of developing depression (doi.org)
  31. ^ research collaboration (newsroom.ucla.edu)
  32. ^ scientific breakthroughs (doi.org)
  33. ^ Apple assures users (www.apple.com)
  34. ^ a range of safeguards (www.apple.com)
  35. ^ far from perfect (gizmodo.com.au)
  36. ^ using customers’ data (gizmodo.com.au)
  37. ^ advertising products and services (www.theguardian.com)
  38. ^ potential for misuse (right.ly)
  39. ^ commodification (youtu.be)
  40. ^ need for stricter regulation (www.choice.com.au)
  41. ^ the risks (doi.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/apple-wants-to-know-if-youre-happy-or-sad-as-part-of-its-latest-software-update-who-will-this-benefit-210789

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping