![Father and son playing video games while mom watches](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/JTUCsjp4jCObEMcvEtIBQ/d3fbd5309805b153aaa9ae72b852f4fb/shinytoys_happypeople_hero.png)
![Father and son playing video games while mom watches](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/JTUCsjp4jCObEMcvEtIBQ/d3fbd5309805b153aaa9ae72b852f4fb/shinytoys_happypeople_hero.png)
Part 6: Shiny toys and happy people
How tech makes us feel and why these emotions are important.
Technology has a positive impact on our lives
Most people agree that device ownership adds value to their day-to-day.
Asurion Tech Lifestyle Study 2024 Base: Total Completes (n=1,004) Q: For each pair, please indicate which statement you agree with more strongly. Answers on both sides comprise agree and strongly agree responses.
The emotional side of tech
Yes, there’s a mix of positive emotions evoked by our devices, especially those for personal connectivity (smartphones, tablets, and fitness trackers). People report feeling satisfied, productive, happy, in control, and confident. Here’s how they felt about other tech:
![Dad uses a VR headset while the kids watch](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/5n3pLkEuRjcJqh9D9dZDWV/9904e6794a9c713c01caa33f682b35ea/man-using-virtual-reality-headset.png)
For entertainment systems, we see emotions like satisfaction, happiness, and control but also excitement and relaxation—as you might expect for tech involving gaming and TV.
![Man laughing while sitting behind a desk with monitors](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/5Miel4Jf39fRQ0XsvBJfDu/45ccb49f7d3f34f1a4150dfe812f51be/home-office-tech-man-earbuds.png)
There’s a highly productive and satisfying mix of emotions for home office tech, presumably underlining a reliable, hassle-free experience for people’s work environments.
![Couple uses a tablet to view their front door camera](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/2Sv1zuZVQZmHxAE5tXPSPd/29e96169e84ea97dec04b60ef503ea76/smart-home-tech.png)
It’s no surprise that people are trending towards VR/AR headsets, but what about smart speakers and voice assistants? It’s true. And security tech makes them feel safe and in control.
![Mom and son use the dishwasher while the dog licks a plate](http://images.ctfassets.net/16nm6vz43ids/48ymUjYSbwuliFfDHipEbD/1947f246cc7c8342d201421fe1bc2fb6/smart-appliances.png)
Smart appliances have a weaker emotional response, partly due to their newness, unfamiliarity, and the difficulty of making them seem cool. But smart fridges do make some users feel “trendy.”
So what happens next?
The tech media talks excitedly about the emergence of futuristic categories, like AI, e-skin, smelly VR, and necrobiotics (yes, turning dead things into robots). As engaging as these storylines are, it’s unlikely they will impact the daily lives of regular people anytime soon. But let’s just wait and see.