Smart truth to iPhones

WHATEVER your view of how smartphones have affected modern society, new research claims that without one people would have to lug around the equivalent of 50 separate items.

Its technology replaces the need to carry a map, a camera, train timetables and a host of other essentials. While a smartphone easily fits in the palm of a hand and weighs little, researchers estimate it would take two rucksacks to haul all the extra items around. And it also works out cheaper. It is about $1500 less to use a smartphone rather than buying all the extra items separately.