A poll of 2,000 adults found many long for the return of corded landline phones, while some say film cameras were ditched too soon
Brits are pining for the days of cassette tapes, film cameras, and classic MP3 players, according to a survey of 2,000 adults that revealed a yearning for retro tech. The poll uncovered a desire for the return of corded landline phones, meanwhile, the nostalgia extended to early mobile phones, portable CD players, and even vintage typewriters.
Virtual pets have not been forgotten either, featuring in the top 20 list, with six percent of respondents harbouring fond memories of taking care of them, despite confessing they didn’t survive beyond a week. Four in ten admitted they view old-school tech through rose-tinted glasses, with more than a third acknowledging they ignored how painfully slow those devices were.
Reflecting on the past 15 years, 81 percent of people recognise a significant change in the technology they use daily, with many now reliant on smartphones, contactless payments, and streaming services.
Tech expert and former Gadget Show presenter Georgie Barrat has teamed up with Smart Energy GB – which commissioned the research – to put some of these nostalgic gadgets to the test.
Barrat said: “There’s something nostalgic about the gadgets we grew up with. But we often view them through rose-tinted glasses – we forget the long loading times, the fragile connections, and how unreliable they could be.”
“Energy meters are a great example of old tech that desperately needed an upgrade,” she added. “The shift from analogue meters to digital smart meters brings lots of benefits – giving you a much clearer picture of how much energy you’re using and what it’s costing, which can help you to cut your bills.”
The study revealed mobile internet as the most significant technological advancement of the past 15 years.
Navigation apps and contactless payments followed closely behind, with streaming services and smart home technology also impressing Brits.
Despite these advancements, many still hold onto their old tech, with over a third still owning a landline, while others have kept kept cassettes and MP3 players. A surprising 20 percent even have a collection of VHS tapes gathering dust.
Of those with retro tech still lying around, 34 percent still use it from time to time, while 23 percent have it stored away as a keepsake.
Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB said: “In today’s world, we rely on technology for almost every aspect of our lives – from staying connected with loved ones to managing work, finances, and our homes.
“As with most new tech, smart meter performance is continuing improve, with new research showing nine in 10 smart meter owners now think their smart meter is reliable.
“And because the technology behind smart meters was designed by top cyber security experts, you can be reassured yours has comprehensive security at its heart.”
TOP 20 FAVOURITE TECH FROM BACK IN THE DAY:
- Cassette tapes
- TVs with Teletext
- MP3 players
- Landline phones
- Film cameras
- Early mobile phones
- Burned mix CDs or tapes
- Polaroid cameras
- Portable cassette/CD players
- VHS tapes and VCRs
- Disposable cameras
- Handheld games consoles
- Typewriters
- Non-handheld games consoles
- CD-ROMs
- Non-portable CD players
- Floppy disks
- Fax machines
- Digital pets
- Reel-to-reel tape recorders