Blog articles from 11/2017

By Thomas Rockmann, VP Connected Home at Deutsche Telekom AI (or Artificial Intelligence) has arguably become the buzzword to end all buzzwords. So much so in fact that it is sometimes difficult to pick the facts from the hype, but in spite of the hyperbole, there is much to be excited about. Recent research shows that 25% of households will use digital assistants as the primary interface to connected home services by 2019, and this is certain to be just the beginning....

Parks Associates recently published Smart Home, Caregiving, and Aging in Place , an analysis of existing and anticipated independent living needs among people age 50 and older. This was an exciting project to complete, given the significant demographic shifts that are currently occurring in the United States. The U.S. population is greying, which is a trend that will continue for decades, due in large part to the aging of the sizable Baby Boomer generation. The below chart...

As smart home device manufacturers aim to increase consumer appeal for smart home products and services , many are investing in measures to communicate the value of smart home products more effectively and remove the friction associated with making smart home device purchases. Best Buy and Amazon now offer free in-home consultation services for consumers interested in acquiring smart home products. Geek Squad started offering free in-home consultation services for smart home...

Amazon's announcement of a new Amazon Key in-home delivery service caused some media buzz this week, following on the heels of a similar announcement of an in-home delivery partnership between Walmart and August Home. Announcements of innovative services like these always create opportunities for media outlets to grab some attention and clicks, though the coverage can sometimes lack nuance. Case in point: a polling firm called Morning Consult contacted me this week to discuss...