Actually there were two studies I recently read which dealt with gadget obsession - firstly they are actually making people dumber. This is actually documented. Secondly they are adversely impacting the role of parents with their children - children are feeling jealousy and exhibiting associated behavioral problems because they're competing with gadgets for parental time.
As a side note, here's an Apple fan/disciple. I honestly don't understand the obsession. Yeah, let's get excited about some geek toy made in China which is overpriced, saddles you with obscenely restrictive terms of use and locks you into a long-term contract with a lousy cell phone carrier. Yep, that sure excites me - not.