New studies show pay TV providers saw a large and significant decline in the number of subscribers in the second quarter of this year, losing more than 470,000 subscribers – almost a half million – during the quarter. It was their worst quarterly performance ever and indicates a growing, troubling trend.
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Dramatic Changes in Features New Home Buyers Want (Like Tech)
Outdoor Kitchens & Media Rooms are Out, Walk-in Closets & Programmable Thermostats are In
The National Association of Home Builders has completed a comprehensive survey of home builders to learn what features home buyers are asking for in homes being built today. The survey, which the association conducts every year, showed a huge shift in priorities this year and reflects a fundamental shift in consumer preferences – a shift that will also impact the custom integration industry.
See what features are desired & shunned and what it means for us in tech… [Read more…] about Dramatic Changes in Features New Home Buyers Want (Like Tech)
Think Apple’s Watch is Doomed to Fail? Better Think Again
Apple, Inc. announced the coming availability of the Watch, its first major product in years, at a presentation earlier this month. Since that announcement, we’ve been struck by the lack of enthusiasm for the product amongst members of the TECH press. In conversations with colleagues, we heard many predict that the Watch is doomed to failure, in part because of this tepid response.
Now, results from a new survey suggests TECH wonks may be wrong… [Read more…] about Think Apple’s Watch is Doomed to Fail? Better Think Again
How Customers Prefer to Receive Your Marketing Messages
An important element of marketing is communication…internally and externally. There are many choices of media through which to communicate with your B-to-B or B-to-C customers and different companies often choose different paths for this critical communication.
But do you know how your customers would prefer you communicate with them? New research tells you the customers’ preferred media…by age range.
See the data on how your customers want you to communicate with them… [Read more…] about How Customers Prefer to Receive Your Marketing Messages
With 60% Growth in Users in 2014, Instagram Blows by Twitter
Now the 2nd Largest Social Media Site
From our friends at The Stratecon Group
Hey TECH SMBs…get out your cameras and start snapping! Those bright graphics and dramatic displays in your booth at a trade show…that dazzling product unveiling at a major corporate launch event…a sophisticated setup for an all-new training event – all captured with your smartphone or digital camera and ready to share. You’ll want to consider posting those company & business-appropriate images on Instagram…now the second largest social media network in the U.S., according to new data released by eMarketer.
Not only that, but the researcher says more is to come from Instagram… [Read more…] about With 60% Growth in Users in 2014, Instagram Blows by Twitter
New Research: Smart Homes Market Will Grow to $58.7 Billion by 2020
New market research on the smart home market says the global consumer market will grow to be valued at around $58.7 billion by 2020. Market researcher MarketsandMarkets predicts that recent developments in the channel will fuel a 17% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2015 to 2020 leading to the creation of a significant consumer market.
See more on this new research…What ‘new developments’ are they referring to?… [Read more…] about New Research: Smart Homes Market Will Grow to $58.7 Billion by 2020
S. Korea Stakes Claim as World’s #1 TV Supplier
New market data confirms what you probably already suspected, South Korea is the #1 supplier of TV products to the world. Home to both Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, S. Korean media is calling itself the ‘Country of TV.’
See some surprising new global TV market data… [Read more…] about S. Korea Stakes Claim as World’s #1 TV Supplier
U.S. Market Hit With Largest Decline in Retail Sales in 11 Months
New data released by the Commerce Department showed an unexpectedly large drop in retail sales for the month of December. In fact, U.S. retail sales had their largest across-the-board drop in the past eleven months – plunging economists into vigorous debate over just what this means for the economy.
What were the worst performing retail segments? Read below to see more… [Read more…] about U.S. Market Hit With Largest Decline in Retail Sales in 11 Months
Bullish on 2015, Japan’s Electronics & IT Companies Boost Production Plans
Japanese consumer electronics and information technology companies appear to be quite bullish on 2015 and have put plans in place to boost production levels, according to Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association. The association released the results of an industry-wide survey earlier this week that show the stage is set for another year of growth.
See more on the plans of Japan’s TECH companies… [Read more…] about Bullish on 2015, Japan’s Electronics & IT Companies Boost Production Plans
‘Showrooming’ is in Decline, ‘Webrooming’ on the Rise – Favoring Brick & Mortar Retailers
New data from GfK’s annual FutureBuy survey of shoppers shows a dramatic turn in the effect of “showrooming” (shoppers looking at/picking items in stores, then buying them online) with a decided edge going to brick-and-mortar retailers. The survey tracks omni-channel shoppers – both those engaged in showrooming and those that conduct “webrooming” (shopping an item online, but then buying it in a retail store) – in 17 countries and across 15 product segments…including consumer electronics.
