Always wondered about this.
Nest Thermostat, an energy-saving appliance that learns your temperature preferences and which you can control with your smartphone.
Some years ago I moved house. After doing so, I programmed the new house's thermostat/programmer with how and when I wanted my heating. I haven't touched it since, bar to change the clock twice a year.
Even I'm not f***ing lazy enough to really want something connected so it can do that last bit for me.
As for smartphone control, if I'm in the house the programmer is probably as close on average as my phone is[1], should I feel like overriding the timer. If I'm not in the house I don't really give a toss how warm it isn't.
Of course there's the: "Ah yes. But if you find yourself returning home unexpectedly and don't want it freezing, it's great to be able to activate the heating remotely" argument. If the temperature drop between heating cycles is such a serious problem, spending the money on insulation rather than a fancy connected programmer will both solve it and save you a shedload of cash.
[1] Also I can be 100% sure of exactly where it is at all times, unlike the phone, tablet, TV remote etc.