Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

AI and smart homes: We may not notice the future

Security experts have always known that potential end users are not always ready for what is available to make their homes more secure. That dynamic often emerges from discomfort with what is new and unknown. Brad Russell, a research analyst at Parks Associates, based in Addison, Texas, describes that discomfort as “friction”—and he suggests that it has been around longer than we realize. Parks Associates is a market research company specializing in emerging consumer technology.

“New technology always comes with friction,” said Russell. From his perspective, however, the security industry has seen “a reduction in friction between technology and usage.”

The gap closes, he said, “If I can just call [my device] rather than use three or four buttons … now you’ve got the ‘wow and delight’ factor. It sounds cliché but it’s true—fun, easy, convenient.”

From the article "AI and smart homes: We may not notice the future" by Kenneth Z. Chutchian.
 

Previously In The News

SSI Introduces Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2026 at ISC West

SSI will induct five new members into its Industry Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon at ISC West in conjunction with PSA Network, honoring five industry legends who have left their marks on the secur...

Microsoft Pledges Quality Improvements for Windows 11

Despite its deficiencies, Copilot has been gaining adherents. “Use is growing,” said Jennifer Kent, senior vice president and a principal analyst at Parks Associates, a market research and consulting...

Generative AI: Growth Surge Meets Trust Issues

Generative AI's infiltrated 58% of US internet households as of February 2026, according to Parks Associates. Parks' survey revealed only 16% of these households forked out cash for a paid AI appli...

Will a Smart Toilet Turn the Home Into a Diagnostic Center?

One of the hot products showcased at the recent Consumer Electronic Show (CES) was the smart toilet. In its analyst report on CES highlights, research firm Parks Associates wrote, “Smart toilets are e...