How many times a day do I turn on my smartphone? How much time do I spend using it? Is that normal?
Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany have developed an app designed to answer such questions. Dubbed Menthal, it's free for Android smartphones. No iOS version is planned. Even though it was designed in Germany, the interface is in English.
Menthal collects a vast variety of data about a user, focusing on time spent with the smartphone and which apps are favoured. The data is then sent to a server. Users can then analyse their behaviour and compare their smartphone use with the average person.
Because the developers are working on psychological research, questions about the user's mood are also regularly posed. There are frequent requests to fill in questionnaires.
To do this, the app needs certain permissions, some of which could give it access to stored passwords. People should consider carefully before allowing access to that kind of information. Even the researchers urge people to think twice before downloading Menthal.
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Nonetheless, they promise to treat all information confidentially and not pass it on to any third parties. Passwords will not be stored, nor will the contents of text messages, emails or telephone calls.
