I think urinals are fine, I just like them to have nice separators. If it's a busy bathroom and there are no separators I pee in a stall.
Though to your other points, I really don't think public bathrooms are for anything other than get in get out. People sitting down and reading articles just makes for more people being in the restroom vying for space. Why hang out where people are getting rid of waste, when you can hang out where it smells like food at the table?
The idea of scrolling a phone while using a urinal just seems crazy to me as well I guess. I don't think I've ever had my phone out at a urinal before