Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

A new vacuum can alert you to incoming text messages. Why?

"The appliance category becoming connected does add a lot of opportunities to provide new information to a consumer," says Elizabeth Parks, the president and chief marketing officer at Parks Associates, which does market research on consumer tech and works with some manufacturers.

"How much energy is being used? Does that tie to any bills? Are there any alerts about the performance of the appliance? You know, especially that energy efficiency part can translate to dollars saved," she says.

"It creates a service model, right? You sell the large appliance, the refrigerator or the washer dryer, and then maybe you sell the maintenance that goes with it," Parks says.

Cost is one factor holding many people back from buying the premium AI appliances, as well as a perception that there isn't an added value in the smart features and security and privacy concerns, according to Parks Associates survey data.

From the article, "A new vacuum can alert you to incoming text messages. Why?" by James Doubek

Previously In The News

SF startup introduces a cheaper smart lock, at $149

Brad Russell, a senior analyst with the research firm Parks Associates, said only about 7 percent of U.S. homes with broadband Internet service have installed Internet-connected door locks. Device...

Samsung, ADT team up on home security kit, competing with Nest

Only about 22 percent of U.S. homeowners have a professionally monitored home-security system, and most of those have been installed by the companies, said Parks Associates senior analyst Brad Russell...

Smart-lock startup August Home bought by Yale lock-maker owner

Meanwhile, August Home and Walmart are testing a service that uses a smart lock to open the door for a delivery person to leave an online-ordered package inside. The Assa Abloy acquisition gives Au...

Gamer gear maker Razer jumps into smartphone market against Apple, Samsung

According to research released this week by Parks Associates, Apple and Samsung own more than 76 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, widening their lead over also-rans LG and Motorola. While Google...