Are smart devices simplifying our lives or making them more complicated?
That's a question that has plagued me for years, especially now, in an era where watches remind us when to breathe, speakers speak to us before we wake up, and the refrigerator can send us notifications if someone left the door open. As a journalist and technology analyst, I've observed the rise, consolidation, and diversification of so-called " smart devices ," and it seems like an opportune time to ask: Where is all this going? And what should we pay attention to, beyond the marketing?
This article isn't intended to be an enthusiastic ode to the Internet of Things or an apocalyptic manifesto. Rather, it's a sober and objective analysis of the key trends shaping the future of smart devices , with an accessible technical focus, tangible references to the Chilean market, and a strong focus on what truly matters: user experience.
Smart Devices : What Are They and What Do They Mean Today?
When we talk about smart devices , we refer to those that combine connectivity, sensors, and software to perform tasks with a certain degree of autonomy or customization. They range from classic smartphones to voice assistants, TVs, wearables, connected appliances, and even accessories like smart toothbrushes or mirrors .
Their evolution has been rapid, but uneven. Some sectors, such as wearables and voice assistants, have matured; others, such as smart home appliances, still struggle with interoperability, cost, and low perceived utility.
In markets like Chile, where technological adoption is growing but with some caution due to costs, the perception of "real value" remains the primary filter . And this is where the analysis becomes especially interesting.
Artificial intelligence everywhere (but not always useful)
AI has become commonplace. It's rare to find a device in 2025 that doesn't boast some form of "intelligence" in its functions. But it's important to separate marketing from real impact.
Let's take televisions as an example. Brands like Samsung, LG, and Hisense already integrate AI engines that adjust the picture and sound based on the content, ambient lighting, and user preferences . Is it worth it? Yes, but only when implemented well. Some devices offer this kind of "intelligence," but they result in erratic experiences or settings that are difficult to disable.
In smartphones , AI has transformed mobile photography. High-end models from brands like Apple, Google, and Xiaomi use advanced computational photography to improve dynamic range, remove noise in night shots, or select the best face in group photos. Here, AI does improve the actual user experience , though it also raises an ethical question: are we seeing what we actually captured, or what the software decides we should see?
Towards functional invisibility: disappearing design
An increasingly prominent trend in the development of smart devices is their tendency toward invisibility —that is, to blend into the environment and become part of the furniture. This is no coincidence: users don't want multiple screens flashing around their home. They want features that activate when needed and disappear when not.
Screenless voice assistants, ambient sensors hidden in lamps, and routers that look like decorative sculptures are all part of this movement. We also see this idea in wearables: watches that look analog but monitor health in real time .
However, this invisibility also has a problematic side: when the design sacrifices the user's ability to understand or control the device. Functionality must go hand in hand with comprehensibility.
Augmented reality and predictive context: what's next
One of the most promising developments for the future of smart devices is augmented reality combined with predictive context. Imagine glasses that, upon entering a store, display product reviews, or that help us navigate streets without looking at our phones.
Apple with the Vision Pro, Meta with the Quest 3, and other smaller manufacturers are working on this. But we still face barriers: battery life, convenience, local data processing, and privacy .
Let's not forget that Chilean consumers—like Latin Americans in general—are highly sensitive to practical value. AR devices must offer tangible improvements in productivity or entertainment , beyond attractive but fleeting futuristic experiences.
Sustainability: the elephant in the room
The boom in smart devices also poses a hidden problem: planned obsolescence and the increase in electronic waste. A smartwatch that no longer receives updates after two years, or a voice assistant that slows down due to bloated software, ends up being discarded.
Some brands are reacting. Fairphone, in Europe, proposes modularity and reparability. Samsung and Apple, for their part, have already introduced recycled materials and recycling programs. But the industry needs a greater commitment , and consumers must demand it.
In Chile, where strict regulations on electronic recycling still don't exist, this conversation is urgent. Stores and brands that offer software warranties, spare parts, and solid after-sales service will make a difference.
Putting the user at the center: more control or more dependence?
The big dilemma for the future of smart devices isn't technical, it's philosophical : do we want more control or more automation?
A self-regulating home may sound appealing, but it can also become opaque: If you don't know why your heating turns on automatically or why your phone keeps silencing calls, are you really in control?
The good news is that we're starting to see transparency tools. Clearer interfaces, privacy dashboards, and selective opt-out options. But we're still far from an ideal balance.
Are we ready for the smart future?
Personally, I believe the advancement of smart devices is inevitable, but not necessarily uniform or positive in all aspects. We are moving toward an environment where objects no longer just obey us, but act for us . This has advantages, yes, but also risks of dependency, surveillance, and digital exclusion.
As an analyst, I'm excited by the prospect of a home that adapts to you, a phone that understands your habits, a car that anticipates your routes. But as a citizen, I'm also concerned that user rights will be diluted by layers of algorithms and opaque data contracts .
The key will be balance: demanding innovation, but also responsibility. Celebrating comfort without sacrificing understanding.
And you, what do you think?
Do you think smart devices are making our lives easier or more complicated? What do you expect to see in this market in the coming years?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments , and if you're interested in these topics, I invite you to read my articles on artificial intelligence in smartphones or the future of augmented reality.
We continue reading.