AI came in tenth place, with less than a third voting it as their biggest tech improvement (28%)
SEGB has enlisted the help of tech expert Georgie Barrat, from the Gadget Show(Image: PinPep)
A new survey of 2,000 GB adults reveals that more than half (52%) consider mobile internet to be the biggest improvement in technology over the last 15 years, followed closely by GPS and navigation apps (41%) and contactless and mobile payments (38%). AI came in tenth place, with less than a third voting it as their biggest tech improvement (28%). Other innovations to make the list include online shopping (26%), streaming services (35%), video calling (31%) and smart home tech (29%).
The poll, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, found that while 43% say they are nostalgic about old-school tech, 37% also admit that they overlooked how slow tech could be, and 32% forgave its frequent glitches. Upgrades to older tech have been embraced, with almost two thirds (62%) stating that emails are more efficient than fax, almost half (47%) saying that dial-up internet connections were painfully slow, and more than a third (36%) agreeing that satnav is easier than printing out directions before a trip.
Almost all respondents (97%) said it’s important to them that the new tech they use daily is reliable, because it’s used for important daily tasks, it keeps their personal information and data safe, and helps to maintain routines and schedules. Tech expert and former Gadget Show presenter Georgie Barrat agrees: “We all get nostalgic about the gadgets we grew up with. But rose-tinted glasses mean we forget the long loading times, the fragile connections, and how unreliable old tech could be. Lots of the newer tech upgrades are more reliable and save us time in our busy daily lives.
“Take energy meters for example. The shift from analogue meters to smart meters brings lots of benefits. They give you a clearer picture of how much energy you’re using and what it costs, and because meter readings are sent automatically to your energy supplier, you can tick that job off your to-do list.” Almost 9 in 10 (88%) agreed that their smart meter is reliable, helping them avoid unexpected or incorrect bills, accurately monitor energy usage and submit automatic meter readings.
As our appreciation for smart home tech grows, Georgie details her top time-saving gadgets, which help her maintain a packed schedule, balancing her busy TV career with home and family life as a mum to two young children. Georgie says: “I love that my robot vacuum cleans the floors for me while I’m looking after the kids or catching up on work. It saves me constantly sweeping up crumbs and the house feels tidy without me lifting a finger.
“Sometimes if feels like the laundry never ends with two little ones, and a heated drying rack “I don’t have to send meter readings now as my smart meter does it automatically, and I’m never surprised by big bills because I can keep an eye on the energy we’re using daily on the little display. It’s one less thing on my to-do list, which feels like such a relief.”
GEORGIE BARRAT’S TOP TIME-SAVING TECH
1. Robot Vacuum
2. Heated Laundry Drying Rack
3. Smart Meter
4. Smart plugs
5. Air Fryer
6. Robot Lawn Mower
7. Clothes Steamer
8. Voice Assistant (e.g., Alexa, Google Nest)
9. Smart doorbell
10. Automatic Timed Pet Feeder