As modern technology continues to advance, we strive to keep up by placing all the newest and smartest appliances in our homes. Whether it’s a security system we can track from our phones or a fridge that you can tweet from, Americans have continued to update their homes to match the newest tech.
A study conducted by Secure Data measured the scope of technology in homes, pinpointing states with the smartest homes, gauging how smart device use has increased, and figuring out which tech devices for the home are the best and worst to use.
While some technology has enabled us to live a more streamlined life, other types of gadgets may be more of a headache. In this post, we show you which states have the smartest homes and which devices might benefit the typical American household and the ones that don’t.
Now, plenty of states have residents that use smart technology, but there is one state that takes up the bottom spot on the list. Only 13% of Alaskans use smart home tech. This makes sense, as Alaska is a popular place for “off-the-grid” living.
Over the recent years, it is Arizona that has seen the most rapid growth, as it underwent a 22.9% spike. Not surprisingly, Alaska has seen the least rapid growth, as it has only advanced 5.2%, again owing to its “off-the-grid” reputation and smaller population base.
From constant alerts caused by innocent animals in your yard to necessary upkeep tasks, security devices come in the top spot as the most annoying type of smart home tech to own. Although considered “smart,” this sort of technology requires quite a bit of hands-on maintenance and causes multiple interruptions throughout the day with alerts that don’t discern between real emergencies and simple annoyances.
Upkeep seems to be a big problem with owning smart technology. The average American spends about 2 hours every week maintaining their smart home tech. This maintenance includes addressing alerts, installing software updates, investigating peculiar device noises, making battery checks, and more.
Is all that work worth it? In the study conducted, one in six people said that smart devices overcomplicate simple tasks, while one in three agreed that smart devices are fun, but don’t add much more to life aside from that.
Slowly but surely, this smart technology is changing how we live. Lots of simple tasks can be simplified, although we pay the price through the upkeep of these products. While our devices may not be perfect, technology will continue to evolve and become more streamlined. What makes your household run smoother depends on your unique needs and how user-friendly you want your smart devices to be.
Read next: Ranking Smartphone Batteries For Staying Power, From the Best to the Very Worst
A study conducted by Secure Data measured the scope of technology in homes, pinpointing states with the smartest homes, gauging how smart device use has increased, and figuring out which tech devices for the home are the best and worst to use.
While some technology has enabled us to live a more streamlined life, other types of gadgets may be more of a headache. In this post, we show you which states have the smartest homes and which devices might benefit the typical American household and the ones that don’t.
States with the Smartest Homes
Out of all 50 states, Connecticut has the most homes with advanced technology, as 28.2% of its residents include it in their homes. Utah comes in a close second with 27.8%, while Maryland has 27.6%. Some techy readers might be surprised at the fact that California does not make the top three. After all, California is home to Silicon Valley, but California barely makes the top 10 at number 8.Now, plenty of states have residents that use smart technology, but there is one state that takes up the bottom spot on the list. Only 13% of Alaskans use smart home tech. This makes sense, as Alaska is a popular place for “off-the-grid” living.
How Use of Smart Devices Has Grown Overtime
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the nation has undergone a surge in the adoption of smart home technology. In 2015, only 6.9% of American households were equipped with smart technology, while now, in 2023, 22.3% of American households use smart tech. This is an increase of 15.4%, bolstering the nation’s technological industry.Over the recent years, it is Arizona that has seen the most rapid growth, as it underwent a 22.9% spike. Not surprisingly, Alaska has seen the least rapid growth, as it has only advanced 5.2%, again owing to its “off-the-grid” reputation and smaller population base.
The Best and Worst Smart Technology
So, what kinds of technology do homeowners use in their homes, and which kinds of technology work the best? Most people tend to employ entertainment technology, as nearly 72% of homeowners have bought smart TVs or virtual reality sets. The entertainment value and ease of use makes this tech more popular than other home devices.From constant alerts caused by innocent animals in your yard to necessary upkeep tasks, security devices come in the top spot as the most annoying type of smart home tech to own. Although considered “smart,” this sort of technology requires quite a bit of hands-on maintenance and causes multiple interruptions throughout the day with alerts that don’t discern between real emergencies and simple annoyances.
Upkeep seems to be a big problem with owning smart technology. The average American spends about 2 hours every week maintaining their smart home tech. This maintenance includes addressing alerts, installing software updates, investigating peculiar device noises, making battery checks, and more.
Is all that work worth it? In the study conducted, one in six people said that smart devices overcomplicate simple tasks, while one in three agreed that smart devices are fun, but don’t add much more to life aside from that.
Smart Technology Is Here to Stay
While smart tech devices might be hard to deal with, they’re continuing to rise and transform the world around us. Whether it’s advancements in medicine, homes, or artificial intelligence, smart tech is continuing to become more accessible.Slowly but surely, this smart technology is changing how we live. Lots of simple tasks can be simplified, although we pay the price through the upkeep of these products. While our devices may not be perfect, technology will continue to evolve and become more streamlined. What makes your household run smoother depends on your unique needs and how user-friendly you want your smart devices to be.
Read next: Ranking Smartphone Batteries For Staying Power, From the Best to the Very Worst
