Named an unusual means to overcome the feeling of loneliness

Smart devices help people with disabilities feel more independent

A UK study found that smart speakers help people who live alone feel less alone. A study by the British agency Ofcom also found that the devices give people with disabilities a stronger sense of independence. However, there are also concerns about the “dark side” of smart devices.

Smart speakers help people who live alone feel less lonely and give some people with disabilities a stronger sense of independence, according to new Ofcom research.

During a detailed survey of 100 owners and 15 non-owners who tested the smart speaker, some of them described their device as a “companion” and said they enjoyed talking to it.

Some respondents with disabilities say that “having a conversation” with a gadget has had a significant impact on their lives, giving them more independence and helping them manage and even improve their conditions and abilities.

One person said, “That’s really the difference between being independent in the house…my carers don’t have to get up every five minutes. Like this evening, I was able to just ask him to turn on those lights. Many years ago, before I had the opportunity… I had to ask people to do things by hand.”

The latest data from Ofcom shows that the number of smart speaker owners has nearly doubled during the pandemic, rising from 22% of households in 2020 to 39% earlier this year.

Study participants said they mainly used their smart speakers to listen to music, radio, news, and weather forecasts.

The latest industry data shows that 13% of all radio hours are now spent on smart speakers.

People in general felt like they were listening to the radio more than before and said their smart speakers let them listen to a wider range of stations.

Ofcom’s data also suggests that 27% of smart speaker owners now get news from their devices.

However, most said they use their smart speakers for instant headlines but still turn to TV, print or online for more in-depth news.

There were varying opinions on the extent to which people enjoy having their devices personalize their content, with some praising the feature while others found it disturbing.

People who don’t have a smart speaker said they don’t see the point or see it as a luxury rather than a necessity. Some were concerned about the possibility of eavesdropping, and this was exacerbated by the fact that their speaker sometimes began to speak, despite the fact that no one used the word to wake up the device.

Others wondered if criminals could use smart speakers to steal data, bank details or personal details by hacking, saying they heard examples of other technologies such as baby monitors and routers being hacked.