Digital tics
Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, Snapchat, WhatsApp… Social networks and instant messaging have invaded our daily lives for better and for worse. Because practices emerged with them, some were blessed, and others hated, revealing our society. Lopes dissects them here.
7 hours. A connected alarm gently pulls you from the arms of Morpheus while respecting your sleep cycle. On the way to work, your wrist counts your steps and monitors your heart rate. Once you arrive, there’s no need to keep your eyes glued to your computer, or even your phone: on your wrist, your watch vibrates to remind you of your meetings and take your messages. Once you’re home, the voice assistant lets you adjust the lighting for a dim ambiance and fire up your favorite playlist, while the food processor offers a selection of recipes to prepare on its screen. Under your feet, the electric dispenser is responsible for giving your cat food (the cat’s weight and consumption are sent in real time to your phone).
Sequel after the announcement
My future? Really more. Today, Connected Objects have the answer to everything. From the simple clock to the house itself, including a yoga mat and connected scale, they have conquered the everyday lives of many French people, seduced by a promise that remains the same: to make your life easier—and sometimes even better—take care of your health or even your safety. And they are successful! If there are no detailed figures in France, the creation of connected objects on a global scale is staggering: 12.2 billion were in the world at the end of 2021, according to the American company IoT Analytics, 8% more than last year – an increase, however, slowed Because of the shortage of electrical components observed in recent months.
“Most of the market has become relatively affordable, and this allows a lot of people to satisfy the kind of technology fantasy rooted in our imaginations, ambient computing at lower cost,” Explains Olivier Erchaid, lecturer and researcher in information and communication sciences at the University of Nantes.
“It might sound silly but…”
Christophe and Sandra, 53 and 38, are among those French people who have welcomed connected objects into their daily lives. Working in an electronics and home appliance store, they were quickly seduced by this technology. And soon they earned them a smart speaker: “We can ask him to play music, find phone numbers, request information…”Explains the couple who use this device daily. A practical use for many users but also a crucial one for Sandra who suffers from multiple sclerosis which affects her vision.
The couple also invested in a connected security camera, which is able to distinguish humans and animals, whether they are unknown or known, and can send them notifications when needed. Something to feel safe. They also acknowledge the anecdotal use of connected bulbs for remote control or to configure their ignition and lighting color: “It may seem silly to some, but it’s fun and feels good,” Sandra says.
Sequel after the announcement
For others, the experience of these technologies proved less conclusive: when he became interested in connected watches, Guillaume Chevalier was first attracted to the possibility of monitoring his sports activities. Attractive rates made him take a leap. “Curiosity is so wonderful, He remembers. At first, I used it with cycling apps and then said to myself “Okay, that’s cool, I can even analyze my sleep quality.” Then there are all those features that we don’t care about at first but end up being interesting. »
‘I’ve never stopped’
With his watch, the 28-year-old event logistics manager quickly felt like a productivity booster. “Really accessible all the time, get your notifications right on your wrist, and encourage you to walk more”, lists.
For Olivier Ercchide, some connected objects—particularly those that allow the measurement of bodily signals—have a principle “dependency creation” Thanks to the satisfying lever that is feeling better. To push the opposite, the user is often encouraged to share their performance on social networks: the idea is no longer just a measurement but to share these measurements with their peers. Hyperconnection is not without harmful effects: “The more we communicate, the more disconnected we are from our sensations, from our environment, from these interactions that the machine makes for us.”
Why a smart fridge isn’t as dumb as it looks
This constantly active technology at the end of his wrist ended up getting tired clouds, in the face of what he saw as a form of “Moral”Performance incentive, when daily data is constantly analyzed and compared to previous days. Above all, he points out, to use the watch to its full capacity, it must be worn 24 hours a day. “I’ve never been off work, I get notifications that constantly vibrate my wrist. Eventually, you end up feeling a little bit watched,” trust.
Sequel after the announcement
artificial needs?
When he decides to upload his data history to Google, it’s an extra cold shower. “I realized that everything was stored, even my heart rate or hours of sleep. It made me realize some obfuscation of the data storage policy.” Add that to notifications that ended up cutting it out for peace and a battery that drains quickly and gradually forgets to charge, and I ended up with a Guillaume watch at the bottom of the tray. And don’t miss him more than that.
Between a refrigerator or a connected watch bought on a whim, Olivier Ertzscheid reminds us that some of these represent real advances for their users, especially in terms of health – we can mention in particular connected pill boxes or blood pressure monitors, and other bracelets that allow Example for monitoring heart problems – or for some people with disabilities.
“In Germany, we use our connected watch to provide hospital beds”
Noting that others are artificially creating needs, and are more than just a gimmick: “No one wanted to measure their number of steps during the day…before it was easily possible with connected objects.”