I can't really recall anything that's come out since then that matches it.
Obviously, it can distract too, but for me, it’s easily been a net positive for productivity.
A field engineer with access to manuals, video calls, a camera, an ERP app and the company expenses and so on: massive help. A guy at a desk with a computer: likely to be a distraction that didn't add anything not already available through the computer.
Also, in your example, I would expect a smartphone to be more distracting to someone that doesn’t already sit at a desk on an internet capable computer. The person in the field is the one who now has the ability to browse the web or whatever, whereas before that was limited to the person sitting at their desk.
Specifically how do the productivity gains balance out all the available distractions?
Or are you just particularly talented at singleminded focus?
A very specific thing I was unable to do before was pull up a video on how to fix almost anything, anytime. House projects, car repair, networking/computer issues at someone else’s house, etc.
Another is checking stock and comparing prices while I am shopping. I waste near zero time finding items and where are in a store, and finding the best price I can buy them at.
Yet another is taking pictures for my reference, or to send to others instead of having to describe something. Being able to video call has made resolving so many problems quicker and easier.
Product manuals are at my fingertips. Buying a flight. Researching a vacation while sitting on mass transit. Finding places to eat withe menus amenable to my family’s taste while on the go.
How you seen people having 40+ tabs open and claiming, "I don't even know what I'm having here" ..? I've seen this a lot