Results: This is survey 2 of the "false promises and unwarranted fears" series. 50 years ago, at the dawn of the computer age, pundits predicted the demise of many things that still survive because we want them to. This is about some of them.
Many new products have the word "smart" in their name. This immediately makes me suspicious. It often means you have to be extra smart to figure out how to use it. The user manuals use icons instead of words and are supposed to be "intuitive". The message from manufacturers is clear. "We designed it but we will give the consumer the responsibility to figure out how to use it. We will imply that, if they can't figure it out they are not "smart" and are not "intuitive". If all else fails they can chat with someone who may not even be human." Some desperate consumers will go on a user blog and commiserate with other bewildered purchasers. Or we stick with what we know - the old stuff. Here are some examples.
1.
1.
I went to a restaurant washroom the other day and when I went through the door the light came on automatically. It was of course a "smart" washroom. Here are some of the torture devices they had in there. Have you experienced (positively/negatively) any of the following?
I thought this was neat and went about my reason for being there. I was almost finished (minus the paperwork) when the lights went out. I tried clapping but that technology was not in use. There was perhaps background lighting but it didn't come on so it was completely dark in there.
10%
•
204 votes
I still had to complete the paperwork and tried to remember where it was. As I was flapping my hands around trying to find it, there was a whir noise and a small red light went on. A ration of paper was then dispensed from somewhere on the wall beside me. I flapped again to obtain (hopefully) enough additional paper for my requirements.
10%
•
203 votes
When I stood up I experienced more familiar technology. The toilet flushed. I wasn't sure however if the job was complete and tried to get it to repeat the flush. The only way I could get it to work was to sit down and stand up again. Is there a button that does this?
21%
•
437 votes
I wasn't sure what I had touched so the next step was to wash my hands. I found the hand washing area but the faucet didn't seem to have anything to turn the water on. It was a "smart" one. Only by making some tai chi movements with my hands could I get my ration of water. Then I had to do the same for the soap. It is hard to complete both tasks in darkness.
19%
•
404 votes
I headed towards the door with my wet soapy hands outstretched hoping to find a hand dryer or paper towel dispenser on the way so that I didn't electrocute myself by accidentally discovering the light switch.
5%
•
110 votes
All of a sudden the lights came back on again as I got close enough to whatever sensor triggers these things and I was able to turn the unsmart lock and escape before my meal guests sent out search parties.
5%
•
109 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
18 votes
Not Applicable
59%
•
1233 votes
- As long as they all work, I'm OK
- hate
- Hate!
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.61% | 9 | |
| Never had the lights go out before I was finished and left. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I am so light that those do not detected me | 0.07% | 1 |
| Oh please | 0.07% | 1 |
| Gotta keep up with the times & not sit back & complain about everything new. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Not good for some disabled people. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Paper dispensed by motion | 0.07% | 1 |
| Not sure | 0.07% | 1 |
| worked in manner designed. | 0.07% | 1 |
| A real tour! | 0.07% | 1 |
2.
2.
Another area where technology has changed is the TV. I welcome most of the changes but I am less pleased with what they have done with the TV remote. At one time this was called a "channel changer" but my latest version is "smart" and "intuitive" which means it has very few buttons. There are some they added I can do without and some I quite miss. How about you? I cobbled together 3 generations of remotes. Right click the image to view in a separate window.
I can do without those buttons for specific channels.
18%
•
377 votes
Where are the volume buttons?
12%
•
253 votes
Where are the channel buttons?
12%
•
262 votes
I prefer the old type of remote that had buttons for changing the channel.
32%
•
680 votes
I prefer the new type of remote that is "smart" and "intuitive"
13%
•
266 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
20 votes
Not Applicable
37%
•
770 votes
- Nope
- no
- They never seem to work...
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.48% | 9 | |
| I like old and new | 0.05% | 1 |
| I HATE having to use three remotes to operate my TV | 0.05% | 1 |
| I wear out the mute buttons, | 0.05% | 1 |
| Use it as a learning opportunity. No one likes hearing someone complaining about anything new. | 0.05% | 1 |
| closed captions | 0.05% | 1 |
| I've never met a remote I can't mess up | 0.05% | 1 |
| still use the one in the middle and one on the right | 0.05% | 1 |
| I ma | 0.05% | 1 |
| just give me on/off vol., channels., mute. that's all necessary | 0.05% | 1 |
| I hate it when the cat steps on the remote and I end up someplace Ican't get out of. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Never used the old ones or the new ones. | 0.05% | 1 |
3.
3.
I'm in mixed minds about this next one. I bought a digital camera at a time when it produced better quality photos than my cell phone did. Now the reverse is true. There are times however when my digital camera is handy because I know how to do it on that camera but not on my phone (even though it could probably do it). Do you have a digital camera and can you use it to do stuff your phone can't do?
I haven't found any need for a digital camera because my phone camera does everything and I know how to do it.
21%
•
431 votes
There are some types of photos you just can't do on a cell phone camera and I use my digital camera for that. (what types - explain)
14%
•
303 votes
I could use my cell phone but can't figure out how to do it. I use my digital camera instead. Or I could use my digital camera but can't figure out how to do it. I use my cell phone instead.
9%
•
179 votes
I have a digital camera but I haven't used it for a long time because I'm happy using my phone - maybe I will sell the digital camera.
15%
•
315 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
33 votes
Not Applicable
46%
•
962 votes
- photos for ads, photos as evidence in a car crash
- Scenery on road trips.
- ideas for later use
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 1.03% | 13 | |
| I use my digital camera for pictures; never my phone. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I use a disposable camera in addition to my cell phone | 0.08% | 1 |
| Do not take pictures | 0.08% | 1 |
| I don't have a cell phone but I do have digital cameras | 0.08% | 1 |
| I use both, whichever is handiest. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I don't have a cell phone with a camera so use my digital camera all the time | 0.08% | 1 |
| Have digital camera but my other devices work great and are always close at hand. | 0.08% | 1 |
| no cell phone | 0.08% | 1 |
| I own and use my digital camera all the time. I am a young person who still uses a flip phone. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I have a digital camera---no phone. I keep build logs of models & easier to reach for my small Nextbook or Onn tablet. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I can't figure out the cell phone or the digital camera! And I don't like to have my picture taken. | 0.08% | 1 |
| My BASIC cell phone doesn't take pictures; my digital camera does. | 0.08% | 1 |
| just use my camera for photos - never used cell phone for that and no desire to - my phone is just for phone calls | 0.08% | 1 |
| My digital camera can take underwater photos but my cell phone sure can't. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I have a digital camera and I've never owned a cellphone. | 0.08% | 1 |
| Not sure what a digital camera is? If you mean just camera, where do you buy film or get it developed anymore | 0.08% | 1 |
| No | 0.08% | 1 |
| I have a waterproof digital camera, a DSLR, and cellphone. I find they each have their strengths. | 0.08% | 1 |
| I take less photos, pictures than anyone! In old days, and in modern times! | 0.08% | 1 |
| I don't have a cell phone but do have a digital camera. | 0.08% | 1 |
4.
4.
My old TV had several boxes connected to it and many cables. My new one has a power cable and that's it. There are far fewer places to connect the cables if something no longer worked. I used to be able to connect my TV to my stereo and watch a movie with quality sound. Now I just have the TV speakers and can't hear what people are saying. Do you still have cables to your TV?
Everything is connected via WiFi or Bluetooth or some other wireless method.
12%
•
253 votes
I have a cable for the power and the TV signal (whatever they call it) and not much else.
21%
•
431 votes
I have cables for TV, audio, video, game box, and several/many more.
19%
•
408 votes
I hate all those cables and would get rid of them if I could.
12%
•
257 votes
I love the versatility of having those cables and want to hang onto them.
8%
•
177 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
24 votes
Not Applicable
38%
•
804 votes
- The music drowns out the voices.
- Our widescreen TV's sound comes out SIDEWAYS (what's with that?).
- get a sound box which is a speaker made for new tvs, it will help with the sound but it comes with another remote.
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.65% | 10 | |
| HDMI | 0.06% | 1 |
| I'm not sure | 0.06% | 1 |
| I don't have any problems with my TV | 0.06% | 1 |
| just the power cable since I have a smart tv | 0.06% | 1 |
| I'm not sure what's attached to my TV other than DIRECTV cable any longer. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Depends on which of the 3 TVs used in my house. I still have a TV with a CR Tube dual tv/vcr that works and I use. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Roku | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have HDMI outlets for connecting cables | 0.06% | 1 |
| Unhappy with unneeded changes, audio and video why do you need more? Blue tooth bleh. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have no idea - my husband does the TV. | 0.06% | 1 |
| DH is in charge of those things. I avoid all of them! | 0.06% | 1 |
| The games consoles connect there! | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have no idea, my son sets it up! | 0.06% | 1 |
| Just the antenna hooked to my tv | 0.06% | 1 |
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