Thursday, May 12, 2016

"Good News" For Phone Addicts

From the Machon Tzomet website:

At Zomet Institute we receive many requests on a wide range of subjects. One subject that keeps coming back is: When will you design a cellphone that can be used on Shabbat? This question comes from health and security personnel, who use a special telephone as part of their regular Shabbat routine, and who are looking for a way to use the new devices while keeping desecration of Shabbat to a minimum.

We are happy to announce that in the last few weeks Zomet has finished the development of a smartphone "App" that uses a speaking device for Shabbat and where the keys are operated using the principle of "gramma" – indirect action.

Touching the screen merely changes the flow of an existing current, and therefore the smartphone can be used when there is a need for it. The " Telegramma" App is suitable for use only in cases of dire need, such as for matters related to health, security, or similar situations.

The App is suitable for smartphones which operate on Android version 4 or higher, and it operates in conjunction with the Telegramma speaking device. 

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My comment

Many poskim don't go for all of these "gramma" innovations on both halachic and hashkafic grounds.

In addition - there is a serious concern that many people will use this machine even not in cases of pikuach nefesh. So I am not sure that this is a cause for great celebration.

Frankly - the world would be a much better place if people would put away their smartphones during the week as well....