Common misconceptions: the ban on using electronic devices during take-off and landing is nothing to do with interference with aircraft systems, and everything to do with facilitating prompt passenger evacuation in event of an emergency. Books/magazines are allowed only because most people will abandon them willingly; for some reason a large minority are unwilling to simply ditch their SHINY!! if they have to leave the plane, which would result in faffing around with the potential to cost time and lives.<p>(It's part of the broader issue of how we behave in crises; some people freeze, some people continue to behave as if nothing untoward is happening -- only a minority behave appropriately, without training. And air passengers are in general anything <i>but</i> trained.)<p>Even the NYTimes falls for this canard regularly ...