Blog articles from 05/2014

New 1Q 2014 research from Parks Associates shows TVs are outpacing computers as the key platform for Internet video. Parks Associates analysts find that 81% of U.S. broadband households watch video on a TV set, while 60% watch content on a computer. The research also shows: U.S. broadband households watched roughly 3 hours of online video per week on both a PC and TV, but the amount of online video consumed on a TV is increasing, up from 2.3 hours per week in 1Q 2013....

As the 4K television market continues to grow, and pricing becomes more consumer-friendly, many wonder if now is the time to buy. In a recent article for the  Wall Street Journal , Parks Associates director of research,  Brett Sappington  says that while 4K is indeed growing, it’s better to wait to buy. In fact, Parks Associates research forecasts that 4K TVs will reach 80% adoption over the next 10-12 years. To enjoy the true benefits of 4K, three things need to...

Parks Associates research shows that 25% of U.S. smartphone users have a lifetime value to a mobile carrier of $5,000 or more, and Apple iPhone users in general have a higher value than Android users. Roughly one-third of iPhone users having a lifetime value of $5,000 or more versus just 22% of Android phone users. Parks Associates' new mobile consumer reseach also shows: More U.S. broadband households now have a smartphone than a desktop PC. Mobile phone...

In a recent article for TWICE , Tejas Mehta , research analyst at Parks Associates, discussed the growth of the mobile market, particularly in regards to consumers' connected lifestyles. He revealed that a Parks Associates 2014 survey of U.S. broadband households shows more households now have a smartphone than a desktop PC. Other highlights from the article include: Smartphone penetration is reaching saturation levels in the United States, and trends in other mature...

By now, many have heard about the highly publicized Heartbleed bug—a vulnerability to Internet security, which threatens to expose confidential information transferred online. The bug allows access to encryption keys, leak of memory content and access to usernames and passwords. Heartbleed affects secure http servers, and in particular, those that use Open SSL (Security Sockets Layer) versions 1.0.1 through 1.0.1f and is said to have been caused by some bad code being introduced into...

Parks Associates analysts are following the AT&T and DirecTV deal closely. From our 1Q 2014 survey, we have data showing: Just under 1% of broadband households have DirecTV service from AT&T though an old partnership agreement where AT&T offered bundles that included DirecTV. 1% of BB HHs have DirecTV pay-TV service and both mobile phone & broadband service from AT&T. 3% of BB HHs have DirecTV and broadband service from AT&T. 3%...