Digital Lifescapes

Worldwide ownership of Connected TV Devices -- including smart TVs, smart blu-ray players, IP-enabled game consoles and digital media streamers -- grew 7 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2014 and 34 percent versus the same period in 2013 to reach 500 million units. The growing demand for devices that facilitate the streaming of online video to the large screen TV is creating a highly competitive environment with no fewer than 16 major technology brands accounting for 90 percent of devices in use, according to the latest global market study by Strategy Analytics. Connected TV Devices fulfill a growing consumer desire to access over-the-top (OTT) video content on the big screen within the home. While Game Console vendors and the major TV brands have the largest footprint of such devices, other companies -- such as Apple, Google and Amazon -- are starting to build up a significant base of lower cost media streaming boxes and dongles from which they can tap into the online TV audienc...

The worldwide wearable computing market is finally expanding beyond the early-adopter segment, with more functional and stylish personal accessories that are making their way onto the pages of lifestyle magazines like GQ and Shape. According to the latest global market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), wearables took a huge step forward over the past year and shipment volumes will exceed 19 million units in 2014 -- that's more than tripling last year's sales performance. The global market is forecast to reach 111.9 million units by 2018, resulting in a CAGR of 78.4 percent. Complex accessories -- such as Nike+ FuelBand, Jawbone UP, and Fitbit devices -- will lead the wearables market through 2018, as users continue to embrace their simplicity and low price points. These devices are designed to operate partially independent of any other device, but fully operate when connected with IP-capable devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or a PC. "Complex acc...

As the potential for smart wearable devices continues to draw new entrants into the market, it is the sports and healthcare functionality that seems to dominate shipments and drives future wearable device adoption. Today, the most popular device functionality is heart rate monitoring with close to 12 million devices shipped in 2013, according to the findings from the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. These are primarily single function devices that communicate with nearby hubs such as smartphones or activity sports watches. Pedometers and activity trackers were the next two most popular devices, accounting for around 16 million devices combined in 2013. "The market for wearable computing devices is driven by a growing range of wireless connected wearable sports, fitness and well-being devices," said Jonathan Collins, principal analyst at ABI Research. Heart rate and activity monitors will outpace shipments of smart watches and glasses for some years to ...

It's already apparent to most video entertainment industry analysts -- fewer people are interested in owning physical media and the recent results of DVD and Blu-ray disc sales in mature markets is a leading indicator of this growing trend. Other key trends are also emerging. Netflix helped boost subscription services to nearly 40 percent of the UK over-the-top (OTT) video entertainment market. The worldwide OTT video market reached nearly $11 billion in 2013, of which Netflix is also a significant contributor in the North American and expanding Latin American markets. According to the latest market study by ABI Research, OTT revenue share will shift to TVOD (transactional video on demand) and advertising as new video entertainment services emerge. Part of the driving force for TVOD, and more specifically EST (electronic sell-through), is going to be propelled by the eventual increased adoption of UltraViolet -- which today has an uncertain future. "While we still bel...

The video game sector is constantly evolving to meet the expectations for product innovation. In a recent market study, Microsoft just beat out Sony for the top position in a game console competitive assessment -- based on expectations for the impact of Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One game consoles. ABI Research evaluated a number of companies across three device categories: game consoles, smart set-top boxes, and TVs/Blu-ray players. Several factors were used to score each company based on two main axes of innovation and implementation. The assessment provides deep insight into consumer electronics ecosystems and modern video experiences in the connected home. Sony fell to second place in the game console assessment in part because key PlayStation 4 (PS4) differentiators -- such as cloud gaming -- are still untested and won’t be fully available at launch. Besides, Microsoft has shown more features on the broader entertainment front -- as an example, hybrid premium or over-th...

The wearable digital devices marketplace has gained new momentum in 2013. Moreover, Juniper Research has revealed that app-enabled smart watch shipments will reach 36 million per annum by 2018, compared to just over 1 million this year. Their latest global market study found that shipments of smart watches will be driven by a new multi-function segment capable of performing an array of additional functionalities -- such as tracking fitness and sports activities, payments and ticketing. According to Juniper's assessment, the multi-function smart watch segment will be propelled by the emergence of players such as Apple and Samsung. Why Apple and Samsung are Key Players Juniper contends that the entrance of Apple and Samsung into this sector -- as suggested by recent trademarks and patents -- will help to validate the category and act as the impetus for other competitors to enter the high-growth wearable devices space. "By educating and publicising this digital device ...

The video game sector is about to get interesting, once again, with the introduction of better technology. New game consoles from Microsoft and Sony will both ship in selected markets during the 2013 holiday season. The XBOX One and Sony PS4 appear evenly matched with content remaining as the primary means of differentiation. A number of new entrants to the fixed console market, such as Ouya, are ratcheting up the competitive field with pricing and gaming experiences intended to capture the non-core gamer segment of the marketplace. ABI Research expects cumulative shipments of 8th generation consoles from the big three to pass 133 million during the first 5 years on market -- that's compared to nearly 140 million 7th generation consoles over the same length of time. "With many of the casual gaming segment embracing mobile devices for gaming, without a shift in strategy and pricing the Wii U will likely fail to match the success of the Wii which will impact future console...

Last year was very troublesome for the video gaming console vendors. After shipping over 3 million Wii U units during the 2012 holiday season, Nintendo’s next generation console is now facing a challenging market. 2012 saw just under 30 million game consoles shipped from Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony (excluding PS2) -- that's roughly 10 million fewer than the previous year. Despite these results ABI Research looks at 2013 and beyond with cautious optimism, but the company expects Microsoft and Sony to determine the future prospects for the game console, not Nintendo. "The Nintendo Wii U’s troubles are not indicative of the expected market reception for the remaining 8th generation of consoles," said Michael Inouye, Senior analyst at ABI Research . In fact, the Wii U will likely prove a closer fit with the current generation than the next. The software released to date also bears out this assessment with many cross-platform games that were previously available fr...

An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor where the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound which emits light in response to an electric current. OLEDs are now being used to create digital television screens. ​However, OLED TVs are expected to comprise less than 1 percent of flat panel TV sales through at least 2013, reaching 9 percent of the shipped units by 2017. In contrast, LED/LCD TVs, which often offer thinner form factors and less power consumption over traditional (CCFL) LCD TVs, are expected to grow from 35 percent of the market in 2011 to 75 percent in 2017. This year OLED TVs from Samsung and LG are expected to cost well over $5,000 (likely closer to $10,000) at sizes less than 60” -- Sony and Panasonic are partnering to release larger screen OLED TVs in 2013. At these relatively high prices consumers are challenged with selecting picture quality and form factor over size -- consider that an equivalent sized LED TV costs thousa...

The 2009 International CES opened with the world's largest debut of consumer technology products, and keynote addresses from industry leaders. The world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, runs through Sunday, January 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sony's president and CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, kicked off his opening keynote address at the 2009 International CES by unveiling the "CES Seven" -- key imperatives for creating the critical user experience. These included the concepts that products should interact seamlessly across industries, be service-based, multi-functional, support open technologies, advance the new shared experience, create new value chains and be green. Stringer said that Sony intends to create the total Sony experience so that by 2011, 90 percent of Sony's product categories will connect wirelessly to the Internet and to each other. To help illustrate Sony's cross-platform entertainment strategy, offering content and services at home ...