The prospect of a digital home seems like a good idea. Being able to control multiple appliances or electronic devices from a central location or a remote location would be the definition of luxury convenience. Are consumers ready to embrace the brave new world of a digital home?
In a new survey from Hill & Knowlton, conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland says that consumers may not thoroughly understand the concept of a digital home. Around two-thirds of the survey respondents were unable to define the term “digital home.”
When consumers received a definition, 90 percent thought a digital home would too expensive and 66 percent thought it would be too difficult to set up.
“It’s clear that many people don’t fully understand the technology that’s available right now, whatever technology advances the future holds,” said MaryLee Sachs of Hill & Knowlton.
A bright spot did show that consumers have a definite interest in what a digital home has the potential to offer. Over 63 percent wanted multiple devices to be controlled when they were home or away.
“Despite today’s technology advancements, the two potential drivers of the digital home – the television and computer – aren’t being used to full potential,” Joe Paluska of Hill & Knowlton added.
35 percent of respondents said they would like to use their TV’s as interfaces for their home entertainment systems, 29 percent for accessing the Internet, 28 percent for viewing photos and 28 percent wanted to use them as computer screens.
44 percent said they were interested in using their computers to watch online television shows, 41 percent wanted to create video or audio and 25 percent wanted to control their entertainment systems.
“IPTV is poised to take the lead in this category as it blends the entertainment and information of television with Internet technology,” said Mr. Paluska.
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Mike is a staff writer for Murdok. Visit Murdok for the latest ebusiness news.
