In The News

Nearly Half of U.S. Households Own and Use Wearable Devices

A recent consumer study conducted by Parks Associates reveals that nearly 50% of U.S. internet households now own and actively use wearable devices, underscoring the growing demand for health and safety features in these products. 

The study, Wearables: Advances in Health and Safety, surveyed 8,000 U.S. internet households and provies insights into consumer behavior surrounding smartwatches and other emerging technologies like smart rings.

Kristen Hanich, research director at Parks Associates, commented on the trends shaping the wearables market, noting that while purchase intentions surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have since leveled off as the urgency for health monitoring diminished post-pandemic. 

“Success for these devices goes beyond the initial sale,” Hanich said. “As consumers attach more services to their wearables, such as safety monitoring or health coaching, their satisfaction grows. The connection between the owner and the device strengthens as new services become available.”

From the Athletech News article, "Nearly Half of U.S. Households Own and Use Wearable Devices"

Previously In The News

The Technological Evolution Of US Healthcare

Parks Associates believes that new health reforms from the GOP would incorporate many elements of Obamacare, but the political mess could delay implementation of new care models and disrupt the pace o...

Security Practices For Smart Homes

As devices in the home connect to the Internet, they make our homes vulnerable to hackers. With Parks Associates predicting more than 50 million connected homes by 2020, it’s time for developers to ma...

Cloud Platforms and the Connected-Device Value Chain

Internet of Things cloud platforms offer device makers and companies the opportunity to greatly expand the value of products and services. These devices are reshaping the value chain by altering produ...

Competition and Regulation Threaten Sharing Economy Markets

Eighty-three percent of U.S. broadband households, or more than 250 million consumers, own and use a smartphone. A recent beneficiary to this mass adoption has been the sharing economy phenomenon, whi...