One in four Brits are planning to splash out on smart tech this Black Friday but nearly a third (31 per cent) find it hard to keep their connected tech connected, according to research from EE. 

The research reveals 12.8 million shoppers plan to buy smart tech during Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, with smartphones (29 per cent) the most popular device, followed by laptops, smartwatches and tablets (all 26 per cent).

While UK homes are getting smarter, with an average of nine devices in a household, connections are not always keeping up in an increasingly wire-free world. An estimated 17 million consumers say they have had a device out of sync, disconnected from other gadgets or apps, this year, with 12 million having at least one gadget unlinked for over a month.

The study reveals patience is closely linked to smart connectivity. A third (33 per cent) of consumers say they lose interest if they cannot hook up a smart gadget within five minutes, while nearly as many (32 per cent) have become angry during the set-up process. Almost one in five (18 per cent) miss out on the connectivity benefits altogether, buying smart tech without ever turning it on.

When it comes to getting smart devices synced up, two in five consumers (40 per cent) tackle the task themselves with instructions, twice as many who attempt set-up without guidance (19 per cent). Meanwhile, more than a third of parents (38 per cent) wait for a visit from their adult children to ask them to sort it out. One in three consumers (31 per cent) confess that Bluetooth pairing leaves them “pushing buttons until something works”, yet only 4 per cent seek advice from a tech expert.

From Bluetooth speakers to watches, UK consumers are increasingly upgrading to smart digital versions of traditional analogue tools and appliances. The study reveals half of adults now have a tablet at home (50 per cent), and one in five (20 per cent) have a smart doorbell, with a typical household having an average of nine connected devices.

Less than half (46 per cent) of consumers are confident they are using a new device’s features straight out of the box, while others find it tricky to keep all their connected tech working in harmony. On average, EE’s research shows that 22 per cent of consumers have had at least one of their devices un-synced from other apps and gadgets for more than a month, 19 per cent for at least three months and 13 per cent for more than six months. Smart rings and smart plugs (both 29 per cent) are the devices most likely to be unpaired from other technology for a long time. 

Asif Aziz, Retail Director at EE, commented: “With Black Friday sales in full swing, smart devices, from TVs to laptops, are among the most popular items for bargain-hunting consumers. While most of us are quick to get a new device out of the box, understanding the smart features and connecting it up to our other tech often gets put off or forgotten. As a result, we risk not making the most of the tech we have bought. As the UK’s best network, we pride ourselves on offering the best connection for our customers, along with expert advice on how to get the most out of your technology. Our EE Guides can show you, without judgment or jargon, how to get your devices talking to each other, uncover features you might not know exist, and ensure you are unlocking their full potential.”

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Categories: Articles, Equipment, Mobile, Research

Tags: black friday, EE, smartphone