Apple’s new iOS 7 is reportedly causing motion sickness symptoms among many users, including nausea and headaches. The iOS 7 software boasts top of the line 3D animation effects and some users reported feeling “carsick” after updating their devices.
An animation technique known as “parallax” causes the background of the iOS 7 home screen and, causing iPhone and iPad users to become sick. As reported by Fox News Friday (Sept. 27), a medical professional explained how parallax animation can affect some users.
"The inner ear is responsible for balance, the eyes for vision. When things are out of sync you feel dizzy, nauseous. Some people get it, some people don’t, and some people get used to it," division chief of family medicine at UH Case Medical Center in Ohio, Dr. George Kikano said.
iOS 7 also features 3D zoom animation when navigating through the system. Users reported feeling sick when switching screen and selecting icons. “The zoom animations everywhere on the new iOS 7 are literally making me nauseous and giving me a headache. It's exactly how I used to get car sick if I tried to read in the car,” posted one user in the Apple Support forum.
As the Guardian reported Friday, 3D effects may cause “intense nausea, dizziness and vertigo," according executive director of the Vestibular Disorders Association, Cynthia Ryan. The body’s sense of balance and perception is dictated by the vestibular system. Feelings of motion sickness can occur when the vestibular and visual systems begin to conflict.
Unfortunately for iPhone and iPad users affected by the new iOS 7 update, there is no way to downgrade back to iOS 6. Apple has a built in feature in iOS 7 that lets users reduce the animation effects by navigating to Settings --> General --> Accessibility --> Reduce Motion and enable reduce motion. Currently, there is no way to completely disable the advanced animations. Alternatively, some users opted to trade in the updated iOS 7 device for an older model iOS 6 device.
