Yahoo! Finance & News

As more and more TV shows and broadcasters create supporting apps, in the US at least the second-screen phenomenon is starting to become mainstream viewing behavior, especially among younger digital native viewers.

According to Parks Associates, 14 percent of US smartphone and tablet owners are already regular users of TV content apps and, despite the fact that this is a fairly new trend and an area where TV stations and program makers still aren't sure what users want, 75 p ...read more

In a second phase launch planned for this year, Samsung Smart TV viewers will be able to opt-in to shop directly from television programming and advertising while simultaneously viewing. In addition to completing transactions, this functionality will allow viewers to receive targeted offers or request additional information from programmers and advertisers, all via the remote control.

Parks Associates estimates that of the 136 million TV households in North America projected ...read more

With great momentum following the inaugural launch, Mobile Commerce World is partnering with UBM Live's eCommerce Expo, October 2-3, 2013 in London, the UK's largest eCommerce and mCommerce event, to create an international platform for the industry. Next year, Mobile Commerce World will be produced in Boston. For more on eCommerce Expo, see www.ecommerceexpo.co.uk.

In addition to exceeding its attendee goals, the first Mobile Commerce World hosted more than 120 expert speak ...read more

Many cable TV companies also offer hundreds of live TV signals and on-demand programs over mobile devices using Internet technology. These apps — such as Time Warner Cable's TWC TV, Comcast's Xfinity, and Cablevision's Optimum — turn mobile devices connected to home networks into virtual TV sets on smaller screens. But customers have to be home to use these most of these services, and many aren't aware of them.

Brett Sappington, director of research at Parks Associates, says ...read more

By 2017, over 820 million households worldwide will have Internet service, and more than 94% will have broadband, according to international research firm Parks Associates. The firm also reports over 610 million households will have a data network, including over 100 million in North America and 133 million in Western Europe.

Parks Associates will host the eighth-annual CONNECTIONS™ Summit at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Jan ...read more

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Ultrabooks, Laptops and Tablets: Complements or Substitutes" report to their offering.

This research analyzes the market for laptops and tablets and the tensions between these product categories. It presents the latest data on purchase patterns, tests consumer demand for Ultrabook laptops, and gauges how Ultrabooks will impact the laptop and tablet markets. Specific attention is also given to the Microsoft Surface produ ...read more

Parks Associates today announced the preliminary agenda, early sponsors, and confirmed keynote speakers from AT&T and Orange for CONNECTIONS™ Europe: Monetization Strategies for the Connected Home, November 12-13, Mövenpick Hotel, Amsterdam.

Luis Canales, Executive Director, Digital Life International, AT&T, and Patrice Slupowski, VP, Digital Innovation & Communities, Orange, will deliver keynotes during the two-day executive conference. CONNECTIONS™ Europe focuses on next-g ...read more

Parks Associates' "Voice Recognition & Control on Mobile Devices," based on multiple consumer surveys including a March 2013 survey of smartphone owners, finds a majority of both Apple iPhone Siri users and Google Now users are "very" satisfied with the voice control and recognition technologies. Specifically, 55% of Apple Siri users and 50% of Google Now users are "very" satisfied with the technologies.

"Adoption rates for voice control technologies have increased over the ...read more