Do you find it difficult to put down your mobile phone?

If yes, you’re not alone. These days, many people suffer from the stress of FOMO (fear of missing out). They reach of their mobile phones when they wake up in the morning, and for the rest of the day, they constantly check their social media apps for the latest updates.

Despite the convenience smart phones bring, many people struggle with their digital habits. This is why Google introduced an app called Dashboard for Android operating system. This new app includes well-being functions that aim to help users manage the time they spend on their digital devices.

It all starts with a bird’s-eye view. Dashboard allows users to look at all the details of their phone habits. For example, a user can see how many times they’re unlocked their phone and how many times they’re checked their social media apps, as well as how much time they spend on each app every day.

Once the users see this information, they’ll be able to make some changes. With the App Timer function, users can set a time limit for how long they can use each app for every day.

But even if users become more mindful of their usage, they’re still likely to be drawn in by notification（通知）. Such feature automatically（自动地）silences incoming calls and notifications when a user puts their phone face down.

If people truly want to make full use of their free time instead of losing hours using their smart phones, these new functions are just one way of doing that.

The easiest answer would be just to use your willpower.

With the New Year weeks approaching, you’re looking forward to watching the splendid fireworks shows that will welcome 2019 worldwide. Unfortunately, visually impaired and blind people can’t experience this joyful celebration. That may change soon thanks to Feeling Fireworks, a fireworks experience invented by the Disney Research Lab in Switzerland.

To experience the show, users stand before a large flexible screen, place their hands at the base of the screen and move them around to feel the fireworks. Alternatively, their hands can be situated in the center of the screen, where the initial explosions happen, and then moved across to explore other fireworks.

As the fireworks begin to explode, five nozzles(喷嘴)at the back of the screen start to shoot water, creating movement of water imitating the show. One specializes in the "blooming flower effect", another reproduces the "crackle" effect, and the rest take care of rockets and explosions. A computer controls the timing, and Feeling Fireworks allows users to experience fireworks similar to those in the sky.

Paul Beardsley, who led the research team, says, "We want blind, visually impaired, and sighted people to all try Feeling Fireworks, and to have a shared and enjoyable memory of a fireworks evening."And the screen displaying the vivid images created by water makes it fun for everyone.

The low-cost technology is still in its early stage, with only a 66 percent success rate. However, the team plans to continue improving the experience and believes the day when everyone will be able to enjoy the thrill of fireworks shows is not far. When ready, Feeling Fireworks will initially be available only at the Disney theme parks, and then hopefully, at fireworks shows worldwide.

In Kenya, blind students and those with poor eyesight were still using Braille books for their studies until recently.

Kenyan schools for the blind are now beginning to use technology that provides material in an audible (可听见的) form. This has expanded possibilities for the students and taught them new ways to communicate with technology.

17-year-old Lucas Mwanzia has been attending computer classes at the Thika School for the blind for the past two years. He is in the eighth grade now. He started school at a later age because of his poor eyesight. But using the new technology, he can search the Internet for biology class. He says the technology bas opened doors that once were closed and Braille books are costly and you have to spend a lot of money to buy one. With computers, the books are available at little or no cost.

Zachary Muasya was born blind. He is now one of the school’s teachers. He has been teaching the students how to use the technology for about two years now. He says the technology opens up possibilities that can level the playing field for his students. “Assistive technology equips the learners with many skills that really make them independent in life,” says Muasya.

The assistive technology costs$1,000 to set up. But a non-governmental organization called InAble has provided it to the schools at no cost. Peter Okeyo, the program manager at InAble, says blind students using the technology may still face difficulties when they move to higher education. He says students who have used the technology through high school might not have it at the university they attend. Those students might have difficulties if they have to go back to Braille, he adds.

Four out of Kenya’s 11 schools for the blind are using the technology. InAble says it will provide the financing for the remaining schools to join the effort.