SmartBrief

Telecoms will reach 40 million IPTV customers this year, according to a study from research firm Parks Associates, which says the platform's growth rate will slow from 80% in 2008 to 50% by year-end. The report cites a new wave of IPTV deployments and recommends providers integrate video technology with a broad range of converging communications and entertainment features such as home networking, on-demand video and others.

From the article, "Report: Telecom IPTV homes to grow ...read more

Parks Associates is predicting that by 2013, there will be 650 million broadband-enabled households. The Parks study also reported that there were about 400 million homes with broadband service at the end of last year. The Asia-Pacific region, which currently has about 160 million broadband homes, will account for nearly half of all homes with wide-pipe service by 2013.

From the article, "Study predicts 650 million broadband homes by 2013"

The number of households with high-speed broadband technology will rise by 2013, with Asia leading the way in broadband distribution, accounting for nearly half of the global market share, according to a report released by Parks Associates. Analysts also said that as a result of the Barack Obama administration's stimulus package, the U.S. will continue to grow its broadband base at an aggressive rate."

From the article, "Report: 640 million homes to have broadband by 2013"

Sales of "connected" consumer-electronics products -- including TVs, set-top boxes, servers, consoles and Blu-ray players -- will reach 100 million units by 2013, according to a new study by Parks Associates. Kurt Scherf of Parks said the trend toward connected CE systems was fueled by consumers who wanted "whole-home access" to content as well as the ability to bring Web content to their TVs.

From the article, "Study: Unit sales of connected CE products to hit 100 million by ...read more

Research shows nearly 2.5 million consumers are interested in buying a broadband-connected TV, especially at a price point of $100 more than a set that's not connected. A study by Parks Associates shows that on-demand content is the main attraction of connected TVs, though on-screen widgets and access to PC content are also desirable features.

From the article, "Study: 2.5 million would pay more for connected TV"

Vendors of personal health records and other customized technologies could earn $460 million in yearly revenue by 2013 by zeroing in on the disease-management industry, according to a report from consulting company Parks Associates. The sector needs to use a new service model that incorporates both "human expertise" and numerous "high-tech tools," a Parks director said.

From the article, "Study: Personal health IT vendors should target disease management"

More-energy-conscious Americans will help the home-energy-management industry swell to more than 6 million "smart meters" by 2012, according to a new report by researcher Parks Associates. Bill Ablondi of Parks said that in addition to consumers being more cognizant of the green benefits of smart meters, governments are offering incentives to those who upgrade and utilities are looking to improve the electrical grid.

From the article, "Smart meters" expected to reach 6 million ...read more

The growing increase in the quality of cameraphones will likely result in an explosion of imaging applications for wireless devices, according to a new report from Parks Associates, a research and consulting firm. The study predicted revenue from the new opportunities should reach $500 million by 2013.

From the article, "Boom in photo apps seen as phones add pixels"