Over one-third of US smart device owners with broadband in their homes have increased connected device usage during Covid-19 shutdowns, according to research from Parks Associates.
An increasing number of household items and appliances are now connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing for voice commands, additional metric collection, and other enhanced functionality.
Of course, there have been some bumps along the way, with connectivity issues and software glitches here and there. Here is what Patrice Samuels, Senior Analyst at Parks Associates, said in a press release:
“As market adoption and usage increase, new challenges in the consumer experience are emerging, which could impact current and future growth. A growing percentage of smart home device owners now experience multiple problems with their devices each year, and 16% of US broadband households report home network problems have disrupted work-at-home activities during COVID-19.”
If you’re looking for tips to better protect your connected devices – and home network – I recommend reading “7 Ways to Lock Down Your Smart Home Devices” from Consumer Reports.
I look forward to hearing more from Parks Associates during the CONNECTIONS Summit: Smart Home Growth Strategies at CES 2021. Just like years past, I expect to see plenty of announcements and product launches of connected devices during CES – the largest tech conference in the US. Of course, the show has gone virtual this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
http://www.alamedatech.com/ces-2021-dont-know-what-to-expect-from-fully-digital-event/
[Image Thumbnail Courtesy: Microsoft]
