Smart TVs, DVRs, smart thermostats, and other new connected devices are an emerging market for tech support services, according to Parks Associates’ consumer research. Technical Support for Emerging Devices reports over 25% of U.S. broadband households value support service for at least one of these "emerging" devices, with 17% interested in support for multiple devices.
“Emerging” devices in this consumer study are specifically defined by Parks Associates as smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players and DVRs, game consoles, streaming media players, smart thermostats, electronic door locks, IP security cameras, automatic lighting controls, networked audio systems, and wireless speakers.
The adoption of connected CE devices is growing across three fronts - home video equipment, home audio equipment, and home management equipment - with over 75% of U.S. broadband households owning at least one of these emerging devices."All three categories present unique challenges to consumers, but compared to PCs and smartphones, they have received marginal attention from support providers.
