According to In-Stat, "the premise behind the smart home is to use networking technology to integrate appliances, devices and services within the home in an effort to control and monitor the entire living space from a remote location as well as within the home. In addition, smart homes are intended to offer homeowners a convenient and secure living space by equipping homes with smart IT functions such as energy consumption tracking, heating, cooling and lighting control, and alarm systems. While the smart home seems to be a valuable and convenient concept in theory, there has yet to be widespread consumer demand for products found in a smart home. This is because consumers have high expectations for both performance and ease of use. In addition, expectations for price are disproportionately low. However, several factors such as pervasive Internet access, home network growth and the acceleration of broadband access to many homes are driving consumer awareness of smart homes and smart home products. While the growth in this market has not taken off as expected five years ago, there is still an opportunity for growth, especially with the involvement of large automation vendors and corporations, such as Home Automation, Inc. and Motorola."
Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe. Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...