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Item Embedded commercial technologies : the role of smartphones and alcohol marketing in young adult drinking cultures : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Hebden, Ross TāneAs a result of the near saturation of smartphone devices among young adults, their drinking cultures are now effectively mobile. This expands the capabilities and potential for alcohol marketing embedded within those cultures, impacting on their development and the health outcomes associated with them. Couched within a growing critical literature on digital alcohol marketing, my research consisted of two related studies that investigated the role smartphones play in young adult drinking cultures. First, I attended the drinking events of 5 friendship groups (27 participants), and then conducted 8 follow-up interviews with a subset of individuals. Second, 9 participants downloaded a bespoke app on their phones that recorded phone activities across a drinking event. Within a week I showed these participants an animated video ‘map’ of their phone data from the night and interviewed them about the details. The data consisted of observational photos and field notes, transcripts of interviews and smartphone data (e.g. location, apps used, notifications headers, timestamps). These data were analysed using discursive approaches. Four discourses were identified, namely smartphones as social disrupters, smartphones as social facilitators, participatory marketing and constantly connected drinking cultures. Together the discourses highlighted that smartphones were crucial to sociality. However, participants also described smartphones as potentially distracting from important face-to-face sociality and the constant connection as being overwhelming at times. Findings suggested that mobilisation of young adult sociality has exacerbated the relationship between alcohol marketing and young adult drinking cultures by providing means for brands and alcohol-centric content to be naturalised into their social practices. In particular, the apps Snapchat and Facebook Messenger played prominent roles in expanding participants’ drinking cultures into cyberspace, while obscuring the commercial origins of marketing material. Smartphones are an important aspect of young adult drinking cultures due to the ways in which they shape young adult sociality and allow alcohol marketers to engage with them. Commercial entities that design smartphone devices, social media platforms, and alcohol marketing all have vested interests in maintaining a strong presence in young adult sociality. There are tensions between young adult autonomy and their reliance on these powerful commercial entities for provision of integral cultural services. Empowering young adult voices and ensuring their participation in alcohol legislation that is relevant to them, as well as continuing attempts to legislate transnational social media businesses, are important directions for policy and harm minimisation strategies.Item The evolving aesthetics of the moving image in vertical video online : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Maric, MilanContemporary transformations in the aesthetics associated with online vertical content are a prime example of remediation between mobile video recording technology, diversification of online distribution platforms, and creators’ enthusiasm to explore new video forms in exchange for higher audience reach and engagement. By deconstructing texts available on YouTubeVEVO and Netflix through the lens of Applied Media Aesthetics, this research examines the choices that professionals make while they utilise conventions associated with online vertical video and its consumption on a mobile screen. Additionally, through interviews with experienced practitioners, I survey the principal differences in production of widescreen and vertical content, and look at potential benefits and limitations of a smartphone as a primary recording device in the professional production workflow. Lastly, as I plan, film and edit six original artefacts, I reflect on the affordances of a vertical frame through the eyes of a cinematographer on set and editor in post-production. The mixed methodology provides a robust framework for examining the principal benefits and limitations of a vertical frame in a professional production workflow and for answering the key thesis question: how do framing, filming technology, and choice of distribution platforms influence media professionals' aesthetic decisions while creating online vertical content? Throughout the research, I re-examine assumptions about acceptable screen aesthetics commonly held by media professionals and provide insights into the remediation of widescreen content for a vertical frame.Item Non-destructive and cost-effective 3D plant growth monitoring system in outdoor conditions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in School of Food and Advanced Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2022) Paturkar, Abhipray P.Plant growth monitoring is one of the crucial steps within plant phenotyping. Traditional manual measurement techniques are error-prone and destructive. In recent times there has been substantial progress in computer vision-based methods. Due to their non-destructive nature and increased accuracy, imaging techniques are becoming state-of-the-art in plant phenotyping. However, most of the associated cameras, sensors, and processors are expensive, resulting in their reduced applicability in this area. This thesis proposes a framework for low-cost plant growth monitoring. A novel, cost-effective and non-destructive 3D method is proposed. It uses a smartphone’s camera and is based on the structure-from-motion algorithm to construct 3D plant models. This algorithm uses several overlapped images to build the model. The modelling speed and quality largely depend on the number of input images used. It is challenging to select the right number of images to generate an accurate plant model - too few images might generate false points in the 3D point cloud, whereas too many images will result in redundant processing, which will inevitably increase computation time. An analytical method is proposed to determine the appropriate number of images for modelling to solve this problem. Once the 3D model is generated, it is essential to segment the various plant components such as leaves and stems to measure traits. The segmentation method needs to be able to work regardless of the particular plant architecture. This thesis proposes a segmentation method using Euclidean distance to segment the point cloud. Finally, plant traits for growth monitoring are measured: leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, stem height, and leaf area. Methods to accurately measure leaf length, width and stem height when curled are proposed. To conclude, this thesis demonstrated that the proposed framework could monitor plant growth and calculate structure and growth parameters in different outdoor conditions. The framework was tested using five different plants with different architectures: cauliflower, lettuce, tomato, chilli, and maize. Hence, this framework is a potential alternative to costly state-of-the-art systems.Item From gimmick to game-changer : a study on the use smartphones to expand access to higher education in sub-Saharan Africa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2022) Okore, Roxanne HawiToday, blended university courses are designed with an unspoken assumption that students will use desktop PCs and laptops for online learning. Recent studies regarding smartphone usage in educational settings explore ways to adapt desktop PC and laptop content for viewing on smartphones; however, the impact of these studies is limited. Smartphones are still subservient to conventional platforms. While this is not an issue in developed countries, it is problematic for developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Only 20% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa own desktop PCs and laptops compared to 80% smartphone ownership. The dearth of these conventional platforms means many learners in sub-Saharan Africa are excluded from the benefits of blended learning. This research took the first steps to explore whether a student who owns a smartphone and does not have access to a desktop PC or laptop can successfully participate in a blended university course. Shaped by the pragmatist philosophical perspective, the research utilised a mixed-methods case study design. The case examined was Tom Mboya University College (TMUC), a Kenyan public university that exclusively offers on-campus courses. The research progressed in four phases: a feasibility study; survey with students (n = 114); interviews with lecturers (n = 17); and beta-testing of a smartphone-supported blended course with students. Results indicate that smartphones could provide a viable learning platform. Key findings identify that TMUC students and lecturers value smartphone-supported learning due to its ability to enhance collaborative learning activities. Furthermore, the results led to the development of a novel framework entitled ‘Smartphone Only Learning Environment’ (SOLE), that provides guidelines on how teachers can deliver blended university courses solely to smartphones.The research implication is three-fold: First, it facilitates introduction of blended learning in extraordinarily resource-constrained public universities of sub-Saharan Africa. Second, it provides the foundations for critical discussions on smartphone-supported online learning policies; notably, discussions about supporting teachers by providing an institution LMS are necessary. Finally, underpinned by the collectivist culture of sub-Saharan Africa, this research showcases opportunities for educators around the world to uncover learning theories that focus on more collaborative forms of blended learning.Item [Viewfinders] : exploring travel film beyond the screen : Master of Design(Massey University, 2017) Rubery, PhillipViewfinders is a design-led research project exploring emerging opportunities for i-docs (interactive documentary) and smartphone filmmaking. The i-doc serving as the practical component is part of a larger collaborative research project between Dr. Gerda Cammaer and Dr. Max Schleser, and focuses on defining new Creative Mobile Media Practices. Responding to recent developments in collaborative media, augmented reality, and computer vision technologies, a mobile web app is designed that proposes new active modes of viewing for the travel film genre. The Viewfinders app asks the question; what happens when a travel documentary can itself travel? Turning conventional AR on its head, Viewfinders does not seek to augment the live environment but rather positions the real world as the augmentation, harnessing ambient phenomena to augment the i-doc. To progress the narrative viewer-users are asked to explore their physical surroundings, with geolocation and computer vision algorithms interpreting evolving environmental factors to evoke corresponding sequences of travel footage. The non-linear narrative comprises a series of 60 second clips of peer-generated video that are re-ordered dynamically, with an aim of aligning experiential factors across both the viewer’s world and that of the documentary. Viewfinders has no play button. Taking its cues from the viewer’s own journey, the world is its play button.Item 'As important to me as water' : how refugees in Rome use smartphones to improve their well-being : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatū, New Zealand(Massey University, 2017) St George, Tanya VivienneMobile phones and smartphones have been hailed as instrumental in assisting migrants and refugees to make the perilous journey to Europe. Civil society groups and humanitarian agencies are responding by developing a plethora of technological aid initiatives to assist refugees and asylum-seekers - a phenomenon dubbed “ICT4Refugees”. However, without a sound understanding of smartphones enable people to be and do, such well-intended projects may fail. Within ICT4D the Capability Approach has become a popular conceptual tool for analysing and discussing the role of technology in improving the well-being of the poor and disadvantaged. Proponents argue it is not access to technology that matters; it is how people use it to enhance their capabilities and achieve valuable lives. Therefore, this thesis investigates how refugees in Rome, Italy, use smartphones to improve their well-being and whether, according to the Capability Approach, smartphones can expand refugees’ capabilities, choices and freedoms. The research is based on qualitative, semi-structured interviews with refugee guests and staff at a refugee centre in Rome, conducted in May 2016. Findings were analysed using an evaluative framework based on capability models created for ICT4D settings, which provided an ecological view of the different factors which influence smartphone use. Overall, the findings indicate that smartphones are critical to the psychological well-being of participants – “as important as water” for their survival - as they enable them to connect to friends and family conveniently and at little or no cost, providing they have access to the Internet. Frequent contact helps replenish participants’ resilience in an otherwise hostile environment. However, owning a smartphone has not improved the informational capabilities of all participants in this study. Thus, refugees may require support to develop the necessary digital and informational literacies needed to participate in an Information Society. Key words: Capabilities, refugees, ICTs, Italy, smartphonesItem Smartphones as prospective memory aids after traumatic brain injury : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2014) Bos, Hannah RoseIndividuals living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly have difficulties with prospective memory—the ability to remember a planned action at the intended time. This can result in difficulties managing every day functioning, and increased reliance on others. Traditionally a memory notebook has been recommended as a compensatory memory aid. Electronic devices have the advantage of providing a cue at the appropriate time to remind participants to refer to the memory aid and complete tasks, and are currently widely used. Research suggests these have potential benefit in neurorehabilitation. This study investigated the efficacy of a memory notebook and specifically a smartphone as a compensatory memory aid. Seven participants with moderate to severe TBI completed the study. Two participants first received the memory notebook, and later the smartphone. The remainder received the smartphone as the memory aid of particular interest. Performance was measured using a message task in which participants were to place a call or text message at an assigned time, and answer a question and were to post a postcard during the week. During weekly sessions, participants rated mood and provided information about their use of the memory aid. Formal measures of prospective memory function, community and household integration and mood were completed at the start of the study, the end of each treatment and at a follow up two to four months after conclusion of the study. The smartphone showed improvements in the ability to complete assigned memory tasks accurately and within the assigned time periods. The benefits of the smartphone occurred over and above benefits seen with those who received a memory notebook first, or who already used a memory notebook on entry to the study. Half the participants learnt to use the smartphone with ease, while others had difficulty. However, despite difficulties participants could still benefit from the smartphone. This study suggests smartphones have the potential to be a useful and cost effective tool in neurorehabilitation practice. This research informs clinicians and researchers of factors that may be important for successful implementation of smartphones as a neurorehabilitation tool.