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“Content is a difficult enough business to turn a profit, but Amazon’s key advantage is that its business is so incredibly diverse. From Amazon Studios to Amazon Web Services to its retail operations, any division can make a profit that raises all of the other divisions. For Amazon, the tide indeed does raise all ships,” said Glenn Hower, a senior research analyst with Parks Associates.

From the article "Why Amazon is spending so much to rival Netflix" by Elizabeth Weise.

Almost nine of 10 U.S. households have a smartphone, and more than one-third use Wi-Fi calling to stay in touch, according to research by Parks Associates. "To many travelers, including my teenage daughter, the three life essentials are food, water and Wi-Fi," says Harry Wang, a senior research director at Parks Associates.

From the article "Best Wi-Fi Options For Travelers" by Christopher Elliott.

About 35.2 million broadband homes -- or 36% of homes with broadband service -- own a streaming media player, up from 27% in 2014, Parks estimates. About 12.7 million bought one in 2015, Parks estimates.

 “Device makers have successfully sold streaming media players to consumers by offering easy access to a variety of content streams, as well as frequent updates that add the latest innovation," said Barbara Kraus, Parks' director of research. "Amazon in particular has benefi ...read more

Many consumers demanded bigger screens, and the move paid off for Apple. The larger iPhone was Apple’s best seller ever.

But not all Apple consumers made the switch.

According to research firm Parks Associates, one-third of Apple iPhone owners still have a model that is more than two years old, compared with 30% of Samsung phone owners.

From the article "Apple's Next? Brains Of An iPhone 6S In A 5S Body" by Jefferson Graham.

Parks Associates research analyst Glenn Hower is prepared to be proved wrong, but he remains skeptical about an Apple streaming entry. "With Sling TV and PlayStation Vue in the market, Apple is now playing catch-up, something the company is not accustomed to," Hower said.

From the article "Cutting the Cord: What won't happen in 2016" by  Mike Snider.

Amazon and Hulu, which has joined Netflix and Amazon as a creator of its own original content, will retain their solid spots as Nos. 2 and 3 in streaming subscriptions. The top three services have "too much momentum and (there's) too much ground to be made up by alternatives," said Brett Sappington, director of research at Parks Associates.

From the article "Cutting the Cord: Next year will bring even more streaming options" by Mike Snider.

Roku for now remains the market leader, says Brett Sappington, director of research at tech research firm Parks Associates. "Over one-third of households with a streaming media player have a Roku device, and adoption figures are still climbing," he said.

Over the last year and a half, Apple TV's share of the streaming media marketplace has been "no better than stable," he said. The new Apple TV will likely get "a bounce" but it must appeal beyond current owners -- who may bu ...read more

The sharing of streaming video subscription passwords became a laughing matter during last week's Emmy Awards, but the funny business could eventually become a problem for video providers.

Credentials such as an email address and a password are needed to access video services, including Netflix and Hulu. And, in general, those credentials are intended to be used only by family members within a household.

But additional unauthorized sharing of credentials will likely cost ...read more