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Do software updates make our devices worse?
A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found 54% think updates push premium features or upgrades, while 62% say operating system updates disrupt daily use.
- A recent survey of 2,000 Americans by Talker Research, conducted between Apr. 8 and Apr. 14, 2026, found that 78% avoid changing device settings unless absolutely necessary, revealing widespread resistance to software updates.
- Common reasons for delaying updates include 23% of respondents who simply forget an update is available and 22% who fear new versions will perform worse than current versions.
- Perceptions of generational bias persist, as 55% of Americans believe updates cater to people younger than them, including 63% of Gen Zers who feel specifically targeted by design changes.
- Beyond functional concerns, 62% of respondents believe updates disrupt daily device usage, while 56% report feeling anxious or annoyed right before hitting the button to update.
- As companies race to integrate AI-driven features, 54% of Americans believe these updates are designed primarily to push users toward premium features or device upgrades.
Insights by Ground AI
39 Articles
39 Articles
Survey Finds Americans Hesitant to Install Software and App Updates, Citing Disruption, Anxiety, and Adjustment Time Despite Security Benefits
By Talker ResearchA majority of Americans believe software updates are making their devices worse, not better, according to new research.The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found a majority (54%) believe it’s done to push them towards premium features or device upgrades. And just as many (55%) believe updates are designed to only make sense to younger people.This was especially apparent for Gen Zers themselves, 63% of whom believe updates are only des…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources39
Leaning Left7Leaning Right8Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 25%
C 46%
R 29%
Factuality
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