One third (33%) of the UK's Internet-using population are "very interested" in creating 'connected home' environments, driven by demand for advanced TV and connected home features such as the ability to view and share digital media on a range of screens and devices in the home, according to a new study by Ericsson UK.
Furthermore, 64% of UK consumers would like to have wireless connectivity between all digital media devices in order to facilitate the quick and easy sharing of digital content, according to the research. However, the study notes that early adopters are currently having to rely on DIY solutions to implement this, and adds that operators need to deliver 'super simplicity' in order to drive mass-market take-up of advanced IPTV-based and connected home functionality.
The research also highlights the fact that games consoles (such as Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3) are being used as a hub for home entertainment, as they "interconnect with the widest range of other devices and services in the home". Also named as 'key connected home services' are the concepts of direct media delivery - whereby consumers can send digital content directly to the device where it is optimally consumed, rather than connecting via a computer - and remote access to digital content, which would give users the ability to either send content home from a device, or access home-based content remotely.
"Consumers are looking for new ways to view and share their digital media,"said Stephen Hall, VP Strategy, Marketing and Communications. "A significant number of tech-savvy users are already creating ‘connected homes', bringing together the best features of digital TV and the Internet to use content in ways which best suit them. Clearly, many more people would like access to the same features, but they are held back by the complexity of the technology.
"What will drive increased take up of these higher-value TV and related services is simplicity," he adds. "There is clearly a huge opportunity for operators who can deliver an easy-to-use, highly connected home environment."
