Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

One nation, on camera: Internet-connected doorbells promise security but raise privacy alarms

Once a futuristic luxury, internet-connected home cameras have become reasonably common — and relatively cheap. Around 33 million American households — 27% — now use the cameras, according to an estimate from Parks Associates, a consumer technology market research firm.

For consumers, the benefit is clear: Constant or near-constant surveillance that can catch burglars in the act and provide clarity on anything that happens outside their homes. But with these systems almost always relying on cloud-based storage and analysis, many technologists have noted that they are ripe for abuse, particularly as they become more complicated and attached to increasingly advanced analysis systems.

In Guthrie’s case, it appears that even without the requisite subscription plan to have the Nest camera fully operational, it did record and transmit video of someone coming to her door the morning of her disappearance.

From the article, "One nation, on camera: Internet-connected doorbells promise security but raise privacy alarms" by Kevin Collier

Previously In The News

Something Hilarious Happens When Potential Customers See That a Product Has AI Features

In another study highlighted by the WSJ, researchers at the firm Parks Associates surveyed around 4,000 US consumers' feelings towards AI marketing, with a slightly more blunt approach: "We straight u...

Top 10 Outdoor Security Cameras for Unmatched Peace of Mind

The Parks Associates 2024 Connected Home Research emphasizes the growing importance of smart detection features, such as distinguishing people, vehicles, or animals, to reduce false alerts and improve...

Can too much AI backfire? Study reveals why ‘AI-powered’ products are turning buyers away

A related survey by Parks Associates, also cited by The Wall Street Journal, found that 58% of the 4,000 American respondents said the presence of the term “AI” made no difference in their buying deci...

Why Smart Home Compatibility Still Sucks in 2025 — And How GearBrain Can Fix It

Parks Associates estimates over 60% of U.S. broadband households now own at least one smart home device. From the article, "Why Smart Home Compatibility Still Sucks in 2025 — And How GearBrain Can...