Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

Wearables trends reflect growing use of analytics, customized value proposition

Data and user privacy remain top reasons consumers are wary of wearable devices. For instance, a recent Parks Associates report notes that about 35 percent of consumers who responded to a survey say they fear their health data will not remain confidential if put online; additionally, 23 percent of broadband household owners who responded to the Parks Associates survey cite privacy and security concerns in using connected health devices.

However, Kaul dismisses security as a top challenge, given consumer use of mobile payment technologies, cloud data storage and online banking services.

"Consumers, in my view, have already made the tradeoff using mobile and Internet services, in return for taking risks with security and privacy," he says. "Security threats will always be there, and consumer services will need to keep their guard up. The smartphone is going to be the central platform for collecting and analyzing this health data using wearables, with an increasing array of sensors on the smartphone itself."

From the article "Wearables trends reflect growing use of analytics, customized value proposition" by Judy Mottl.

Previously In The News

Report: Smart Home Devices Had Biggest Impact on Security Market in 2016

As for why dealers change their offerings, there are many possibilities. According to the Parks and SSI study, competitive forces are key. It could also be driven by the consumer, as more homeowners a...

DIY Security, Home Automation: What’s a Pro to Do?

One chief reason for the meteoric rise in DIY competition, of course, is market penetration — read: the historical lack thereof. According to the latest Parks Associates research, 75% of U.S. househol...

What Happens When Amazon Acquires a ‘Real’ Security Company Like Vivint, Guardian or Brink’s?

Professional security dealers report 36% of their alarm systems include networked cameras, according to smart-home research firm Parks Associates. The pros even manage to attach smart thermostats t...

Top 5 Home Tech Trends and Opportunities for 2017: From Voice Control to VR

Parks Associates research indicates 40 percent of U.S. smartphone owners use voice-recognition software, generally eclipsing the use of phones for streaming music to speakers or video to a second scre...