Consumers Want Simpler Gadgets, Says Which.co.uk

Jan. 18, 2008 - PRLog -- Nearly two thirds of consumers surveyed* by Which? (http://www.which.co.uk/complexgadgets )  said that some technical products have lots of functions they don't understand and never use.  And more than three quarters felt manufacturers should be encouraged to make simpler versions.

Complicated remote controls for TVs, DVD players and stereos were the least popular gadgets - 63 per cent said they'd be very or fairly likely to choose a basic remote control than one with lots of extras.  

Not far behind were digital radios, with 61 per cent saying they'd rather a basic model. Consumers also preferred simpler versions of mobile phones and digital cameras**.

Malcolm Coles, Editor, which.co.uk, says:

“Manufacturers are forever bringing out updated products with extra functions.  There’s no need to make a meal out of remote controls, radios or any other technical products. The result of the which.co.uk survey (http://www.which.co.uk/complexgadgets ) shows that many consumers would prefer simple gadgets to unnecessarily complicated versions.

“We use a panel of ease-of-use experts to assess all electronic products featured in Which? as part of our product testing. This means readers know which are the easier products to use, and which are overcomplicated.

“This is a unique aspect of Which? testing and we place a lot of emphasis on it.”

For more on this story, including a table of results, see http://www.which.co.uk/complexgadgets

* In November 2007, 1034 adults aged 16+ were asked their opinion about technical products.
** 59 per cent would be likely to choose a simple version of a mobile phone and 58 per cent would choose a simple digital camera.

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Which? is the leading independent consumer champion in the UK and has been testing products and services, as well as campaigning on behalf of the consumer, since 1957. It is committed to making individuals as powerful as the organisations they have to deal with in their daily lives. which.co.uk (http://www.which.co.uk ) provides up to date, impartial, expert information on thousands of products and services to help people make the right choices, whatever they’re buying.

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