Over 63 million gadgets are being neglected in the UK, with over 21 million Brits admitting they only know how to use certain parts of their devices, according to new research by technology brand Bush.
Although 35 million people say they don't feel confident when using technology and 15 per cent never read user manuals, one in three (32 per cent) reckon their lifestyle would improve if they knew how to get more use out of their gadgets - allowing them more time to relax in front of the TV, work from home and exercise.
The top technology challenges were revealed by the research as:
- Understanding what the cloud is (44 per cent)
- Connecting to tablets and smartphones via Bluetooth (35 per cent)
- Streaming music and films (24 per cent)
- Understanding all the different programmes on the washing machine (24 per cent)
- How to send a text message (11 per cent)
Andy Robertson, family technology expert who has worked with Bush to devise a series of life hacks to help Brits get the most out of their gadgets, said: "Young people are the most confident when it comes to understanding technology, but for parents or grandparents born in a generation where the cloud referred to something in the sky, and a stream led to a river, it can be a bit harder to work out the quickest way to access your files remotely, or how to stream the latest box office film on your TV.
"There is so much untapped potential in the gadgets and appliances that we use every day, so I have developed some life hacks on how to get the most out of technology - whether you are using it for work, having a night in front of the TV, or cleaning up."
Some of Andy's top life hacks include...
- Save time usually spent manually backing up photos and other files from your smartphone or tablet on to other devices by enabling the 'auto-sync' feature in settings. Thanks to the cloud, which allows you to access files from any device, anywhere, your files can now be saved and stored instantly.
- Banish any frozen pictures and sound delay for good when streaming movies by accessing a secret menu in Netflix to increase the buffering rate. This means more of the programme will be downloaded before it plays. Before you begin, simply press ctrl and alt on your browser, or the up and down arrows on your remote control to adjust it.
- Bluetooth speakers are great for creating impact, but it makes a big difference depending on where you place them in the room. For a fully immersive experience when watching the big match or a blockbuster movie, try positioning them behind or at the side of the sofa to feel like you're there in real time.
- Make clothes last longer by swotting up on your washing machine knowledge - 20 to 30 degrees preserves brights and darks, 40 to 50 degrees cleans everyday items, while 60 is a must for bedding and towels.
The study also found that despite the wealth of new technology products available, many of us feel nostalgic about more traditional products, with over half (52 per cent) holding on to their analogue radios and two in five (40 per cent) still using cassette players.
Charlotte Dewhurst, Head of Bush at Argos, added: "Bush has a long history of making technology accessible to everyone, and with gadgets becoming more advanced than ever, we wanted to understand how many people are making the most of their devices.
"With the modern day household now home to £2,500 worth of gadgets according to our research, it makes sense for people to get full use out of their devices - whether it's for work or play."
People can put their own questions to tech expert Andy Robertson about getting the most out of their own gadgets throughout by logging on to the Argos Facebook page throughout Thursday.
