Aussies spend big on technology, but don't know how to use it Do you read the manual when you get a new device? Many of us with technology problems turn to the internet or a tech-savvy friend when we need more information. TWO in three Australians do not read the manuals that come with their gadgets so it's perhaps not surprising fewer than one in three believe they are getting the most out of their technology. Despite this, Aussies spend between $1000 and $5000 on technology per household each year and one in five intend to buy an internet-savvy device for Christmas, with tablets, smartphones, smart televisions and laptops topping the list. The findings emerged today in a Telstra survey of 1250 Australians, conducted by PureProfile in October, that shows we are fixated by technology, but do not know how to make the most of it. The second Telstra Connected Home Index showed only 13 per cent of respondents knew how to use all the features of their connected devices, with the mobile phone the device they're most commonly not using to its potential, followed by laptops, computers, tablets and smart TVs. Telstra next generation voice services director Jennifer Douglas said the findings were not entirely surprising, but did not blame a lack of motivation for avoiding gadget manuals. "A lot of people don't have the time or the right ability to read technology manuals," she said. They're quite revealing statistics but, in many ways, they're consistent with other research we've undertaken over the past 12 months. The survey found Australians with a technology problem mostly turned to the internet for help, but 20 per cent asked a tech-savvy friend and 18 per cent queried a partner.