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Using home technology saves the average British person 51 minutes a day, survey claims
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Washing machines, contactless payments and microwaves are among the modern conveniences most valued by British people, a survey claims.
Commissioned by Heathrow Express, the poll of 2,000 adults identified the everyday items that have most improved people’s lives.
Other items included on the top 30 list include satnavs, smartphones, electric kettles and online banking.
According to the study, using modern conveniences saves the average British person 51 minutes a day. This adds up to 13 days over the course of a year.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Express said: “We are so used to having washing machines, fridges and so on, that’s it easy to forget what a difference they make to day-to-day life.
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“We commissioned this research to find out which ones we rely on most and to see if any newer tech is now seen as essential by Brits.
“Traditional white goods took the top spots but newer tech such as smartphones, online banking and contactless payments featured prominently, suggesting they are integral to our daily routine.”
Over 85 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they believe tech will make life even easier in future years.
Flying cars, teleportation and robots which can treat injuries are among the conveniences those polled said they would like to see become a part of everyday life.
A third of the survey’s respondents said they “wouldn’t be able to cope” without conveniences like dishwashers, tablets and contactless payments.
But three-quarters believe many of the latest devices such as smartphones, smart fridges and smart TVs are overpriced.
And six in 10 agreed they look back fondly to a pre-internet age when technology was not so advanced because “life was simpler”.
But four in 10 said tech has helped them when they’ve found themselves in a tricky situation – for instance being able to pay for goods using their phone when they’ve forgotten their wallet.
The research also found that the average British person makes three contactless payments a day using their card or mobile device.
And forty-three per cent regularly pay for their travel using contactless card payments – on average twice a week.
Over 35 per cent said that their life would be easier if they could go fully contactless and no longer have to use paper tickets.
Top 30 modern conveniences:
1. Washing machines
2. Fridge/freezers
3. Smartphones
4. Online banking
5. Laptops
6. High speed wireless internet
7. Microwaves
8. Dishwashers
9. Satnav devices
10. Electric kettles
11. Tablet devices
12. Cheap air travel
13. Smart TVs
14. Tumble dryers
15. Online grocery shopping
16. Contactless payments
17. YouTube tutorials
18. Streaming TV services
19. Social media
20. Online clothes shopping
21. Power steering
22. Video calling
23. Air conditioning
24. Electric toothbrushes
25. Cordless vacuum cleaners
26. Power showers
27. Toasters
28. Slow Cookers
29. Food-delivery apps
30. Lawnmowers
SWNS
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