Latest news with #ParksAssociates
USA Today
23-05-2025
- USA Today
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience Show Caption Hide Caption How to clean your phone, laptop safely Get the dirty fingerprints, crumbs and more off of your tech with these simple cleaning tips. Nearly 65 years ago, the popular animated sitcom "The Jetsons" burst onto the airwaves, giving us a glimpse into the future of smart homes and other high-tech gadgets. With visions of things such as flying cars and fully automated homes, these futuristic concepts seemed far-fetched at the time. A quarter-century into the new millennium, some of the devices seen in the series have found their way into our reality. As flying cars make their way to market and Waymo self-driving cars currently transport people in select U.S. cities, it's clear technology is rapidly evolving before our eyes. We've entered an era of readily available products and appliances that make home life a breeze, and often with a simple verbal command or touch on your smartphone. According to Parks Associates, a longstanding market research brand, 45 percent of households in the United States with internet have at least one smart home product and 18 percent of households have six or more. If you've been considering adding a few smart gadgets to your home, here's a curated list of some of the market's best products. From high-tech thermostats and AI-enabled refrigerators to colorful LED lights that work at your voice's command, these gadgets will certainly make your home feel more futuristic: Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Voted one of the best options on the market by "PCMag" and "The New York Times," this plug has the ability to take your regular gadgets from basic to smart with little to no effort. Plus, it's compatible with major home hubs like Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. Have you ever dreamed of being able to control the fan in your room while you're sleeping, without having to do so manually? With smart plugs such as this, you can not only put most of your gadgets on a timer, but you can operate them via your smartphone or by voice as well. $41.99 for a four-pack, Ring Battery Doorbell Cam Long gone are the days of having to get up every time your doorbell rings or missing a delivery when you're not home. With the introduction of doorbell cameras, such as Ring's, we've entered a new era of home security and monitoring. This brand is loved because you can not only see who's at the door from a compatible device, but you can reply or set auto replies, too. You can even pair it with the Ring-branded security system that offers 24/7 professional monitoring as an add-on, giving added peace of mind even while away on vacation. $59.99, Google Nest Learning Thermostat Now in its fourth generation, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has been a go-to for homeowners since launching more than a decade ago. Controlled manually or via the Google Home app on your smartphone, the device picks up on your preferred temperature settings over time and automatically adjusts even when you aren't home. With the help of AI, the newest iteration of the Adaptive Eco feature is also able to determine the right settings for optimal energy saving, which often means lower energy bills for you as well. $239.99, ROKU Plus Series Smart TV Smart televisions have truly revolutionized the game. ROKU's Plus Series is not only equipped with a QLED screen and preloaded with popular streaming platforms, but the TV can be controlled by your voice using the accompanying remote. This means you can play your favorite show by simply speaking, or even find the remote if it gets lost. The Plus Series models are compatible with most major smart home hubs such as Alexa and Google Home and can be paired with other ROKU-branded products, too. Starting at $398 for a 55-inch model, Philips A19 LED Smart Color-Changing Light Bulb The Phillips A19 LED bulb is reasonably priced and has a range of colors perfect for any mood. The light can be controlled via voice through your smart home hub, or you can activate it through the WiZ app from your smartphone. $12.97 for a 60-watt bulb, LG 16H Prime Home Backup Battery Though not 'smart' in the sense of the other products mentioned, home backup batteries are among the things you didn't know you needed, until you actually do. Essentially a new-age generator, these high-powered energy sources provide the necessary output to keep your home running, especially in the event of a power outage. This particular model is touted as being designed with the average homeowner's needs in mind, meaning it's not overly complicated to use, has just the right amount of power for everyday needs like running an air conditioner while also being affordable in comparison to similar models on the market. $3,999,
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Parks Associates: 19% of US Internet Households Subscribe to ESPN+, and 10% Subscribe to NFL+
Study addresses sports fan viewing preferences, including how they watch sports, how much they spend, and appeal of interactive services DALLAS, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates' new consumer study, Streaming Sports: The Fan Experience, offers a comprehensive analysis of how US households are consuming sports content, detailing subscription trends, churn drivers, and interest in various service tiers and interactive experiences. The research of 8,000 US internet households shows ESPN+ is the clear leader in sports-specific streaming services, with 19% of US internet households subscribing to ESPN+ and 10% subscribing to NFL+. Streaming has increased the accessibility of sports, enabling fans to watch events on their preferred devices—whether mobile, smart TVs, or laptops—on their own time or even while on the go. Key findings from the study include: 33% of US internet households subscribe to a D2C (direct-to-consumer) sports service. 43% of US internet households personally watch live sports from any source. 70% of sports viewers ages 18-24 watch at least one live game or match per week, compared to more than 87% of those ages 55 and older. "As more games move to streaming platforms, the traditional sports viewer, or 'Sports Traditionalist,' who watches only via broadcast or pay TV, is becoming a smaller segment of the overall audience," said Jennifer Kent, VP of Research at Parks Associates. "By Q3 2024, only 8% of consumers in internet households were Sports Traditionalists, with an additional 13% using both traditional outlets and streaming services to watch sports." With streaming services significantly boosting league revenues, sports organizations will continue exploring innovative ways to distribute games on these platforms. Subscribers to D2C sports apps generally report high satisfaction, with Net Promoter Scores (NPS) comparable to popular streaming services like Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube TV. Additional highlights from the study: The NBA has the most satisfied subscribers among D2C streaming sports services. Two-thirds of streaming sports service subscribers maintained their subscription after the season ended. Of those who cancelled, more than half said they were very likely to re-subscribe. This research is available for purchase. To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific data, please contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein at 972-490-1113. Parks Associates will host the seventh annual Future of Video: Business of Streaming, Nov 18-20, 2025, at the Marina del Rey Hotel in Marina del Rey, California. About Parks AssociatesParks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households. The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets. Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Contact:Mindi Sue Sternblitz-RubensteinParks Associates972.490.1113391648@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Parks Associates Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Smart Tag Adoption Rises to 12% in US Internet Households, up from 7% in Q3 2022
Apple leads as the most popular brand with 69% of recent smart-tag buyers reporting purchases DALLAS, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates' latest research from the ongoing Tech Ecosystem Dashboard service highlights the continued adoption of smart tags, as 12% of US broadband households report owning one of these devices, up from 7% in 2022. Consumers use smart tags for convenience, security, and tracking, helping them easily locate lost items, automate daily tasks, and streamline access to digital services. This is a growing category with implications for safety and security because smart tags provide real-time monitoring, help prevent theft, improve emergency response, and ensure secure access to personal and digital assets. "These small, inexpensive devices help consumers find lost or frequently misplaced items such as keys, wallets, luggage, and remote controls, as well as loved ones, like children and vulnerable older adults. They deliver valuable peace of mind and convenience," said Jennifer Kent, VP, Research, Parks Associates. Parks Associates research shows Tile, the category originator, is still a top competitor in the smart tag market but Samsung recently surpassed Tile to take second place in terms of purchases. Apple leads as the most popular brand—69% of recent smart-tag buyers bought an AirTag. Predictably, iPhone users prefer to use Apple's AirTags. Android users prefer to use Samsung Galaxy tags but also like to branch out and use other brands such as Tile, Chipolo, and Orbit. Parks Associates' consistent and ongoing consumer survey research of 8,000 US internet households in the consumer electronics categories highlights foundational market metrics, including product adoption, household spending intentions, churn, and key tracking metrics on leading industry players. Parks Associates will host the 29th annual CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference May 13-15 at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy in Plano, Texas. This conference brings industry leaders together to provide insights, business strategies, and market forecasts for the adoption of technology including broadband, smart home, security, connected health, energy, and home automation. Early registration pricing ends this week. To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific data, please contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein at or 972-490-1113. About Parks AssociatesParks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households. The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets. Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Mindi Sue Sternblitz-RubensteinParks Associates972.490.1113391290@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Parks Associates Sign in to access your portfolio
