The appearance of animated dots on an iPhone screen might look like a display glitch, but it is actually an Apple feature designed to combat motion sickness while using the phone inside moving vehicles.
اضافة اعلان
Over recent months, the feature has caught the attention of an increasing number of users, particularly those who suffer from nausea during car rides or public transit.
This organized display on the edges of the iPhone screen stems from a relatively obscure setting known as "Vehicle Motion Cues." The feature places moving dots along the screen's borders that shift in sync with the vehicle's movement, utilizing the phone’s built-in accelerometer, according to a report by the BBC.
While opinions vary, enthusiasm among some users has been high in recent months. One user noted loving the feature so much that they keep it enabled round the clock, even when not traveling.
For long-time sufferers of travel nausea, these dots may offer genuine relief.
"When I go on a cruise, I stay in bed for 72 to 96 hours. I can't eat, and I can't get up," said Tom Stoffregen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, who has studied motion sickness since the 1980s.
Experts hold differing views on the root cause of motion sickness. The traditional explanation, known as "sensory conflict theory," posits that the inner ear senses motion while other senses, such as sight, register stationary objects that appear motionless.
Stoffregen remains unconvinced by this theory, believing instead that the issue arises because muscles and bodily systems constantly attempt to predict movement to maintain balance; when those predictions fail, confusion ensues. This may explain why passengers frequently experience motion sickness while drivers rarely do, as drivers directly control the vehicle.
Regardless of the underlying cause, this sensory disruption leaves many feeling nauseous, explains Dr. Kristen Steenerson, Assistant Professor at Stanford University specializing in vestibular disorders.
"This conflict is what leaves people feeling dizzy or off-balance. Through an interesting evolutionary coincidence, it triggers significant nausea," Dr. Steenerson notes, adding that humans may have evolved to interpret a sudden loss of balance as a sign of toxin ingestion, prompting the body's urge to vomit.
Dr. Steenerson explains that providing the body with visual cues representing movement through space can alleviate motion sickness—a principle central to Apple's moving dots. "It provides a visual representation of how you are moving through space," she said.
"Research examining visual cues shows they can be quite effective," she added, pointing to anti-nausea glasses containing liquid that moves similarly, which have shown positive results.
Dr. Steenerson shares that the dots personally help ease her motion sickness: "Everyone thinks something is wrong with my screen. These dots are absolutely fantastic."
To activate the feature on an iPhone, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues. Users can set the dots to remain permanently active or set them to trigger automatically upon detecting vehicle motion.
While Android apps can replicate this functionality, rumors suggest a similar feature may soon arrive on Google Pixel phones. The size and color of the dots can also be customized, though the feature may not work for everyone.
Some motion sickness sufferers report little benefit from "Vehicle Motion Cues," whereas others describe it as nearly miraculous.
Zandie Brockett, a curator based in New York City, considers herself entirely reliant on it. "It changed my life," she said, noting that she has become a vocal advocate for the feature: "I don't shout it from the rooftops, but I recommend it whenever someone mentions getting car sick."
Admirers of the feature consistently highlight one key caveat: it is primarily effective if the motion sickness is induced by looking at the phone while traveling.
Consequently, the main reward is the ability to spend more time looking at a smartphone screen—an outcome that some view critically amid growing concerns over excessive screen time.
"It's a bit frustrating that you now have one less reason to look away from Instagram," remarked Rory Carroll, Editor-in-Chief of the automotive news platform Alloy.
