I think this is true ONLY in formal writing, which this document clearly intends to be despite it’s complete inanity. Asterisks are used in computer code for multiplication and shorthand messages/emails all the time. Not many scientists/engineers/mathematicians out there that can’t write at least an excel formula

This is literal insanity

Why are you holding it up to your face? I use speaker too if I’m busy and my hands are full but i put it down on a table. This has no advantage, you still have to hold it