A blogger asserts, unquantified, unsupported by any numbers. But it sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? You picture the unplugging and disconnecting of voice-enabled devices, user-run temperature and light controls. Get these out of here! Then you say why? Or more to the point, what is the data that supports this? An 2024 AARP report about growing utility and adoption of smart home technology? Apparently ‘many retirees are now reconsidering whether devices are improving or creating new frustrations.’ Hard to argue that managing smart home tech to work on your behalf, well, takes work. But take the devices out?
The real problem – technology user interfaces are more complex than ever. As new functionality, er, ‘features’ are added, none are taken away. Upgrades are mandatory (“Tonight!”) There is no (as it was quaintly called by IT) ‘rollback’ – I was only kidding about doing this upgrade. So for many, it’s back to YouTube’s many how-to videos, the knowledgeable family member, or as a last resort, paid online or in-person paid tech support. Regardless of level of knowledge or skill, it is feasible to frustrate anyone with technology change. Upgrades are perpetual, features appear without explanation, and apparently for most tech providers, going back to the previous version is not in their playlist.
But seriously, folks, how many would like to return to the old days? Equivalent to having to walk over to the TV to turn it on. What do you mean, we can’t speak an instruction to a smartphone app? You mean we have to go back to one-line answers and a boatload of links for search or inquiry? Wait, we can’t turn on the lights by speaking? (Or being misunderstood, of course).
Avoiding technology features is as easy as turning them off – but don’t. But taking an online training class on how to benefit from new features is also easy. Even senior living communities are helping older adults benefit from smart technology in their homes – making them safer. Watching older adults in airports these days navigate their smartphones and find what they need is actually amazing. A decade ago, clamshell (feature) phones were common among older adults. But soon older adults wanted the capabilities of a smartphone, including video chatting, instant messaging, photo sharing, etc. Now nearly 80% of the 65+ have a smartphone. And why not?
