Blog articles from 11/2015

Global adoption of broadband connectivity is fueling the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), with 773 million broadband households anticipated worldwide by the end of 2015. By the end of 2019, broadband households will total 972 million households, with over half of those in China. In North-America and Western Europe, 50% of broadband households own at least one connected entertainment device, smartphone, or tablet. Asia-Pacific will achieve 50% adoption rates of these devices by...

For consumers around the world, the Internet of Things opens the door to a new and convenient connected lifestyle. IoT encompasses a broad range of home-based devices and services, including smart home devices and services, connected entertainment devices, entertainment services, connected health and fitness devices, mobile devices, and connected cars. The connected lifestyle can now be enjoyed in every part of the home living environment, from smart garage door openers and monitors to...

Small businesses (SMBs) represent a significant opportunity for IT products and services. These companies appreciate the advanced IT products and services that large companies use to enhance their operations but usually cannot afford the enterprise-class infrastructure, software, and solutions available to much larger businesses. However, small businesses are adopting connected devices at a significant rate—businesses with 10 or fewer employees own 10 connected devices, and those with...

It seems this fall has been a great time for streaming services in the United States.  Google has introduced its ad-free YouTube Red and YouTube Music services, available free of charge to Google Play subscribers, and now T-Mobile has expanded its unCarrier approach to video as well as music. I'm talking about T-Mobile's new Binge On feature, available to subscribers of T-Mobile's 6GB plans or higher.  Last year T-Mobile introduced Music Freedom, a feature that offered...

Recent Parks Associates research finds that with the demand for smart devices increasing, consumers are demanding a more convenient way to control those home devices with the use of their smart devices. Consumers want to be able to control their home devices and by utilizing the features provided on their phones or tablets, such as downloading apps that allow the consumer to monitor their thermostat, air conditioning, alarm system, etc., they are able to have the control they desire with...

New research by Parks Associates finds that 76% of U.S broadband households are very concerned about their data security and personal privacy when using connected devices. The firm’s new consumer research, The Demand for Device and Network Security , reveals identity and data theft are among the highest security concerns; however, despite these concerns, only 6% of U.S broadband households have experienced those problems in the last year. Commenting on the new data, Parks...

Though the streaming media device industry is a mature industry, it continues to grow. Industry players find themselves in a highly competitive environment, requiring continuous innovation and compelling value propositions to increase both the base and market share. Content, as always, is table stakes for both unit sales and usage. With more popular content apps such as CBS, HBO, and Showtime offered via OTT streaming, there is potential for a continued shift to non-linear TV. In...