Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

Smart Home of the Future Is Here; Why Aren't People Buying In?

What will convince consumers that a connected home is worth the cost and effort? Device makers hope to sell the idea that a connected home is not just safer, but also saves money and is ultra-convenient.

Smart home devices must automate daily mundane tasks so the homeowner doesn't have to worry about them, said Stuart Sikes, president of the research firm Parks Associates.

"We're moving to a place where we have proactive home managers, devices that turn off the water and notify you after the fact that you've had a leak, the water's been shut off, can I do anything else for you?" said Stuart Sikes, president of the research firm Parks Associates. "That is a true smart home."

Take Google's Nest Learning Thermostat, for example, which costs $249. Manufacturers claim the gadget saves an average of $131 to $145 a year in heating and cooling bills. But a smart system could add to those savings by telling the blinds on the home's western windows to automatically close at 5 p.m. to block the sun.

From the article "Smart Home of the Future Is Here; Why Aren't People Buying In?" by Benny Evangelista.

Previously In The News

Roku Powers Ahead

According to findings from analyst firm Parks Associates, ownership of streaming media players has risen from about six per cent of US broadband households in 2010 to almost 40 per cent at the beginni...

Roku’s Share of Streaming Market Rising, Says Parks Report

As streaming becomes more popular as a way to consume TV programming, Roku is increasing the number of homes in which its devices are used, according to a new report from Parks Associates. In the f...

What Apple Can Learn From Its TV Failures

A new report from market-research firm Parks Associates places Apple fourth in terms of market share for streaming media players like the Apple TV, a sign that consumer infatuation with Apple products...

Apple plans 4K Apple TV to regain market share

Apple TV has lost streaming media market share while competitors thrive. A Parks Associates report this week showed Apple’s market share dropping from 19% in Q1 last year to 15% this year. Amazon’s Fi...