New analysis and insights from Parks Associates predict smart watches and connected entertainment devices, including game consoles and streaming media devices, will be the most popular gifts for the holiday season.

Among connected CE devices acquired in 2014, 37% of smart watches, 25% of streaming media devices (including players like the Roku 3 and sticks like the Google Chromecast), and 20% of gaming consoles were received as gifts. Other popular CE gifts include tablets and e-book readers, motion controllers, DVRs, MP3 players, and Internet-connectable music systems.

“Apple boosted the profile of the wearable category with the announcement of its Apple Watch,” says Harry Wang, Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates. “We expect sales of wearables, including connected activity trackers and smart watches, to top 11 million units by end of year in the U.S., thanks to this increased attention, and they will continue to be a popular gift purchase, especially on Black Friday, due to many promotions from retailers and OEMs and their uniqueness as a new-year gift to promote better health.”

From the article "Streaming sticks expected to help fill 2014 Xmas lists" by Thomas Campbell.

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