Most tech experts point to artificial intelligence (AI) as the NBT – the next big thing – in technology. Not only does this promise to create a huge market – but it is likely to be disruptive of many industries and looks to truly Change-the-World. With a prize this big, many are chasing that AI rabbit with the goal of dominating the future. Will the U.S. win the AI race?
Research
Research: DIY Gains Momentum in Smart Home Market
New Data Sure to Send Shivers Down Integrators’ Spines
In what some might view as a startling result, new research from GfK reveals that a majority of consumers (52%) said that they prefer to install their own smart home products. This result is substantially higher than the percentage of consumers who said this (43%) the last time this survey was done in 2015.
See more on this eye-opening research on the DIY market… [Read more…] about Research: DIY Gains Momentum in Smart Home Market
Google Gains Ground, But Alexa Rules Smart Speakers
You will find more infographics at Statista
New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
As more research continues to emerge on consumer utilization of voice-controlled devices, it becomes clear that there are still impediments to end-users utilizing their voice-control capabilities regularly, according to research by Social Lens. A separate study by Nielsen reaffirms what Strata-gee has previously reported, that people use smart speakers more for listening to music, than for any other task…including voice-control of their home automation solutions.
See more on this pair of new studies on voice-controlled smart speakers… [Read more…] about New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
CEDIA Market Stats Reveal Opportunities for Members
Like past years at Expo, CEDIA presented a summary of their findings from the recently completed Size and Scope survey at Expo 2018. This year, however, the presentation was made by Grant Farnsworth of The Farnsworth Group, an Indianapolis-based market statistics consultant who did an excellent job in conveying a lot of detailed and important data to show attendees.
See the latest CEDIA market data… [Read more…] about CEDIA Market Stats Reveal Opportunities for Members
Study Shows People Value Their Data Over Their Car
After years of shocking privacy breaches and the more recent Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal, consumers are becoming more and more concerned about the security of their personal data. This attitude is reflected in new privacy research survey in which a majority of respondents said they viewed their personal data as more valuable to them than even their car.
See this surprising upgrade in consumer concerns about their personal data… [Read more…] about Study Shows People Value Their Data Over Their Car
Amazon Horror: Alexa Users Not Using Voice to Shop
A new report by The Information has roiled Amazon, punching a hole in the concept that users of their Alexa-powered smart speaker devices will use them to buy billions of dollars of goods through voice ordering. According to sources from inside Amazon, the company is disappointed that only about 2% of users of their devices use them for voice-enabled shopping – a result that throws shade at the company and industry analysts who predicted a tsunami of voice-powered purchases. The company’s spokesperson disputes the report.
See what we’ve learned about Amazon’s voice shopping experience… [Read more…] about Amazon Horror: Alexa Users Not Using Voice to Shop
Senators Call for Govt. Investigation of Smart TV Industry
With all that’s going on in the world of politics – or perhaps because of what’s going on in the world of politics – two senators are calling for an investigation of the Smart TV industry, citing concerns about a potential compromise of privacy for users of which they are unaware. This move is in response to news that emerged a few weeks back suggesting that Smart TV makers were tracking users viewing, unbeknownst to them.
What are Smart TV makers doing to get Congress riled up?… [Read more…] about Senators Call for Govt. Investigation of Smart TV Industry
Smart Appliances are Still Looking for a Home

New research shows that while a majority of internet users own some type of smart device, almost no one owns a smart appliance – even though many manufacturers like Samsung have been pushing the category for a couple of years now. If consumers believe in “smart” technology, what’s going on with smart appliances??
See more on the lack of adoption of smart appliances in the home… [Read more…] about Smart Appliances are Still Looking for a Home
Who Is Leading the World in AI Research?
The race is heating up for global leadership in artificial intelligence, considered by many to be the next area of technology that will explode with activity. Many major players here in the U.S., both in Silicon Valley, as well as other places, seek to establish themselves as the leaders in AI.
But where in the world is the greatest amount of money going to fund startups who will drive the development – and ultimately the adoption – of AI? You might be surprised…




