Rabu, 13 Juni 2012

New phone app can detect stress-inducing messages before a user reads them

New phone app can detect stress-inducing messages before a user reads them

  • Developers claim app can help people to manage their stress 'in the best possible way'
  • Nice messages are colour-coded green, negative messages red, and neutral messages blue

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 21:13 EST, 12 June 2012 | UPDATED: 02:42 EST, 13 June 2012

Texting: A young woman checks her messages

Texting: A young woman checks her messages on her mobile phone

A new mobile phone app can predict the tone of incoming messages before a user reads them so that they are not caught off guard by angry or hostile words.

The Android phone app 'Stress@Work', created at the University of Portsmouth, colour codes messages so people have time to prepare themselves, avoiding the shock of suddenly reading a nasty message sent via Facebook, Twitter or text.

Nice messages are colour-coded green, while negative messages are designated red, and neutral messages blue.

Senior lecturer Mohamed Gaber said the 'ultimate objective' of the app was to ensure that people are made aware of when they will receive negative content 'so they are able to manage their stress in the best possible way.'

'Whether we are reading a worrying social media news story or a warning email from our manager, messages can upset mood and increase stress level, just as good news and encouraging emails can cheer you up,' he said.

Some days users may receive more negative content than others, he said, adding: 'It is important that the user attempts to take an action in order to not get stressed, especially if this may affect the individual’s performance at work and/or their behaviour at home.'

Colour-code: Nice messages are green, negative messages red, and neutral messages blue

Colour-code: Nice messages are green, negative messages red, and neutral messages blue

The ability of people to handle stress does vary, so users can further tailor the app to their own personal specifications by designating messages positive or negative, an extra feature that allows the app to 'learn' about how each individual user’s perception, Dr Gaber said.

The developers hope to make the app available for free downloading from the Android marketplace by the end of June, and on other platforms within the next academic year.

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What does it do for Sexts?

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I don't think this is going to work very well, for example, what if someone texts you complaining about their boss? Of course they will use some 'bad' words but it's more likely to make you laugh than feel bad yourself!! I think seeing a red message pop up would make me feel even MORE panicky!

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I need one of those for Newspaper articles, I like to keep up with the News, but you never know what really gross and extremely upsetting headlines you are suddenly going to read.

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From the examples given, the app can't tell the difference between straightforward information and negative comments. If a person isn't strong enough to cope with a app! bit of rain, they need care in the community, not an app! If people are troubled by frightening or hurtful text or twitter messages they need to block the people who send them, change their phone number and get a new twitter account. Some people spend their days sending and recieving spiteful messages and then moaning about being stressed. They need to take control.Get hateful people out of your life.

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I love apps....they make me very appy.

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Can it detect sarcasm?

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