The esports industry has experienced increased attention as new non-endemic brands have become involved in the market beyond companies like game developers and video streaming platforms. Major players from multiple market sectors have invested in esports teams and brands including traditional sports entities like professional basketball, soccer, and hockey team owners and media outlets like ESPN a...

Safety and security in the home are much broader than burglar and fire alarms. In addition to these long-term mainstays, consumers can add access control features and cameras to their protection systems for convenience as well as safety. This report assesses the current varied smart home devices that provide security and safety in the home as well as new devices in development. The report assesses...

Mobile commerce has been growing exponentially since the iPhone launch. Data from personal preferences, locations, and social media feeds, along with push notification and mobile payment functions, allow companies to promote brands and convert transactions much more easily and successfully. This report examines the role of consumer data in mobile marketing and advertising and highlights the best p...

There are thousands of consumer use cases for smart home systems and devices. This can be challenging for smart home marketers as they seek to sell smart home bundles or single-use devices. This report examines consumer preferences for smart home bundles versus build-as-you-go adoption, highlights the differences between the consumer segments, describes the benefits of the various purchase options...

Growth in the residential security market and its position as the leading channel for smart home solutions have attracted numerous new entrants. Telecoms, cable operators, and CE manufacturers are joining traditional security players as they compete to fulfill consumer demand for safety and security. This report analyzes the changing competitive landscape of the professionally monitored arena and ...

This report covers cloud-based IoT platforms as well as the devices that companies want to connect to the IoT through the cloud. The report also covers cloud-based real-time data analytics and the associated value-added services as well as API management and e-commerce....

In-vehicle connectivity has morphed cars into the next great apps platform. Yet vehicles are distinct from other app-serving consumer devices due to safety concerns, product development timelines, and product ownership models. This report addresses issues facing the connected car app ecosystem, provides insight on consumer perspectives on connected car apps, and assesses four connected vehicle app...

This report analyzes broadband service providers’ wireless service strategies surrounding the development of fifth-generation mobile network technology as well as network densification efforts using a combined fixed and wireless infrastructure to deliver fast and reliable communications services to consumers. In particular, the report explores Wi-Fi’s roles in consumer voice and data communica...

Voice provides frictionless access to the vast computing and information resources on the Internet and will be an essential part of the smart home of the future. Therefore, manufacturers and service providers must decide what voice-enabled use cases, products, and services will provide the greatest consumer benefit. This research quantifies the opportunity for voice integration and broader voice-e...

It is widely acknowledged that the real value from the Internet of Things will be derived from data. Data analytics firms across all vertical markets in the connected home are providing solutions to help companies extract value from data. This report highlights different approaches, AI technologies being implemented, and the associated challenges. It also covers applications that are providing val...

This report defines blockchain as it relates to the connected consumer and explores its viability and applications with the connected home ecosystem. It explores blockchain applications for smart home and connected entertainment use cases, including data security, identity authentication, and content protections, and its potential impact on consumer confidence in the IoT. The report also profiles ...

Sling TV introduced the world to streaming pay-TV service, which has evolved into the concept of “virtual MVPDs.” As the market becomes more crowded, virtual MVPDs must differentiate their offerings to compete not only with each other but also compete with traditional pay-TV operators. This report identifies virtual MVPD deployment and growth strategies, identifies market differentiators, and ...

While viewing of linear television has declined among broadband households, live video—sports, news, and events—continues to play a critical role in the television business. Alternative platforms have stepped in to capture a portion of live audience, and services like Facebook Live and Periscope have led the charge in live online video entertainment. This report explores the state of live broa...

Voice technology is an emerging trend in the consumer entertainment world, with voice control increasingly becoming embedded in devices such as smart speakers, TV remotes, and smart TVs. This report presents an overview of the voice technology landscape for consumer entertainment services, with a focus on crossovers, enabling technologies, and new opportunities. It also includes five-year forecast...

Consumers are entering the smart home market via multiple paths. This report documents the buyer journey, describing intentions for first product/system purchase, actual purchase behavior, user-reported experience at stages of ownership, and how follow-on purchases are made. In addition, the report analyzes channel effectiveness and opportunities to improve the customer experience at each stage of...

As the connected home ecosystem continues to grow and the technical complexity of broadband households increase, the technical support needs of consumers change. This report examines consumer support needs for new and emerging connected devices along with the various approaches to problem solving among consumers. It also details support service trends and forecasts the revenue opportunity for prem...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are powerful enabling technologies that can affect all aspects of consumer entertainment. This report will examine the new opportunities and service features that AI can unlock as well as the companies poised to take advantage. The report assesses the short- and long-term impact of AI on the entertainment industry and the future role of AI in user ...

New personal identification and authentication technologies have the potential to transform the way that entertainment services are delivered, accessed, and experienced. These technologies offer a high level of security, often incorporating biometrics, such as voice, fingerprint, iris or retinal features, and facial characteristics. They also have the potential to support truly personalized entert...

While OTT video services continue to emerge in specific regions or nations, an increasing number are looking at global expansion. Content producers and OTT service providers want to capture audiences, and revenues, worldwide. This report explores this trend, including the complexities of offering OTT video services across markets, content licensing, localization, platform considerations, and reven...

As the world moves toward singularity, the simultaneous improvement of technologies enabling the smart home is transforming products and services. This report reviews the evolution of technology across multiple dimensions, such as AI, robotics, and distributed computing, and the impact on hardware cost and software development lifecycle. It provides a vision of the future state of the smart home a...

Voice can provide a simple, compelling user experience, but the path to adding voice controls to any product, service, or application is complex. As major companies continue to create voice-enabled interfaces, product designers, developers, and manufacturers will be forced to rethink the user experience and user interface. This report profiles the key technology partners that can help companies in...