Science and technology are racing ahead, leaving little room for individuals to catch their breath in the face of innovative surprises. Notably, one of the latest innovations is a detailed report by a mobile phone on its owner's mental health. Innovative applications go beyond tracking daily steps, blood pressure, or heart rate. According to a report by "The Conversation," the iPhone can now monitor mental health using the (iOS 17) operating system—how does this work?
"The Conversation" explains that when Apple releases its latest software updates this month, users will gain access to mental and physical health features in addition to what is currently available on their smartphones. Through the (Apple Watch) app and (Health) app, Apple has succeeded in its long-term effort to enhance its role in healthcare technology, adding new features to the already global applications for tracking heart rate, sleep, calories, and fitness. The new mood tracker, named "Mental State," asks users to evaluate what they feel at random moments throughout the day, ranging from unpleasant to enjoyable. The mental health surveys provide users with a preliminary assessment of depression using the PHQ-9 screening tool, as well as an anxiety assessment using the GAD-7 tool, which alerts users to risk levels and connects them with licensed professionals in their area.
Thus, Apple offers an app that resembles memory function, as the report suggests, capable of gathering user data from images, texts, music, games, TV history, fitness levels, and more to provide users with a comprehensive daily snapshot. The company anticipates that the app will be as popular as other applications it has created. This means Apple is positioned to achieve unique insights into users' lives. What they propose in (iOS 17) is a mirror for their users, allowing them to see their lives through their interactions with technology.
Report author researcher Joe Aditungi comments: "As a specialist in philosophy and psychology, I am excited to see how technology is changing the way people manage their mental health. As a fan of Apple, I want to experience these new features as soon as possible. I downloaded the public beta in July and want to share my thoughts on how to interact with this new technology." She continues: "The mental health app is user-friendly. When I opened the (Health) app after updating to (iOS 17), I was prompted to start tracking my mood. I can choose to log my mood at a specific time (for example, how was my mood at 2:30 PM today?) or track my mental state for the day. The scale used for these moods is visually appealing. The screen turns blue when I scroll to the 'unpleasant' options and orange when I scroll to 'enjoyable' options. After settling on a mood, users are asked to provide some information."
She adds: "First, there's a predetermined list of feelings that may describe the user's mental state (for example, 'anxious,' 'happy,' 'excited'), followed by a list of factors that may contribute to that mental state (such as 'work,' 'friends,' 'current events'). Here, users can write something specific to be included in the record. By using it daily, users can access a daily mood calendar and a graph depicting their mood cycles over a week, month, or specific year. Clicking on any data point will display details of that day, including any transient moods the user logged and the context provided."
With the use of mental health features, the integration of humans with technology is achieved. Rather than just measuring fitness (tracking workouts, counting calories), the (iPhone) and (Apple Watch) can provide comprehensive metrics for users, not only regarding daily activities but concerning mental health as well. Ultimately, users become Apple's ideal version of themselves. The author comments: "On the surface, it's useful to see that I often rate my days better when I am active and sleep sufficiently (although it doesn't take artificial intelligence to know that). However, as a researcher, I know that there are limits to what data can tell us, based on the measurements we use and our biases as interpreters." She adds: "I wonder how the average Apple user interprets this data and whether they will start to shape their lives to reach desirable-looking graphs."
She highlights: "Apple is not trying to sell private data, as the privacy policy states that it does not share data with third parties for marketing purposes. In health contexts, it can utilize data to improve users' mental states. In an interview with Time magazine, Apple CEO Tim Cook affirms that 'the greatest contribution Apple makes to humanity will be in improving people's health and well-being.'"
In her assessment of Apple, the author shows a justified bias toward the substantial scientific role the company plays, as it is not only a pioneer in developing computers to serve users but aims for its products to be distinguished by mental capabilities and scientific roles, ultimately providing service to its customers by fortifying their moods for mutual elevation in science and innovation. She states: "Apple is the company of ideals. This was the goal behind the 'Think Different' campaign." Even when discussing the technical details of computer performance, its use of flashy visuals and ambiguous language makes it difficult to assess its products accurately compared to competitors. The message is clear: An Apple user is not just someone who owns a piece of technology but is an outstanding, creative, diverse, and unique individual. Now, mood enhancement is attainable. While a five-minute yoga break significantly contributes to improving mental health, it remains unclear whether (iOS 17) is the medical revolution that Apple hopes it to be.
