MarketStudy
Latest
IDG research shows iPad's business dominance
A new study by IDG shows that not only are iPads becoming a powerful tool for business, but that Apple's tablets are increasingly replacing notebook computers in the office. The study, titled "iPad for Business Survey" is a detailed and colorful look at trends surrounding the iPad worldwide. The 16-page PDF (click here to download) includes some facts about iPad adoption in business that are fascinating. As you might expect, a high percentage of professionals said that they "always" use the iPad for web browsing, reading, and news consumption. A surprising number -- about 16 percent -- say that the iPad has completely replaced their office laptop, with a whopping 54 percent saying that the tablet has partly replaced the laptop. iPad-toting professionals also say that they're now buying fewer physical books (70 percent), newspapers (72 percent), and DVDs (49 percent). Adoption of the iPad as a newspaper replacement device was highest in Asia (90 percent) and the Middle East (80 percent). Most iPad users are very loyal to the Apple brand, with only 11 percent (Asia) to 22 percent (Europe) saying that they'd consider a different tablet device the next time a purchasing decision is made. South American business professionals were the least loyal, with 39 percent saying they'd try a different brand. One of the other key points in the study notes that IT and business professionals truly realize the potential of the iPad as a mobile device, with 79 percent responding that they always use their iPad on the road. These numbers are highest in Asia, with 97 percent saying that they always use their iPads while mobile. The study is a fascinating read and should provide some points for discussion for other manufacturers who are trying to make inroads into the business tablet market. [via Electronista]
Nielsen survey shows high interest in 3DTV, low interest in paying for it right now
This year's hot new feature in HDTVs is 3D, but just as fast as the products have rolled out, complaints have come in the form of comments and editorials, citing the glasses, dearth of content and lack of interoperability between different manufacturer's TVs and glasses. Nielsen and the Cable & Television Association for Marketing have completed what they claim is the first comprehensive study including exposure to 3DTV content with qualitative focus groups and a quantitative study. Analyst wordplay aside, what Frank Stagliano, Nielsen general manager of TV Primary Research calls a "marketing challenge" becomes apparent with the numbers of consumers saying they are likely to buy a 3DTV in the next year dropping after they experience it and consider the additional cost and limited content, with 57% taking issue with the necessary glasses. Though the same number of people said 3DTV made them feel like part of the action, those kinds of responses explain the hype over glasses free technology, despite its significant limitations. While more people than ever will get the chance to get their eyes on 3D football, tennis and movies this weekend, manufacturers and retailers should prepare for a hard time coaxing consumers to buy in immediately (exclusive content is not helping) with the possible exception of videogamers -- 71% of hardcore and regular gamers were interested in playing in 3D.
One quarter of "broadband households" have digital photo frames, we find one for the rest of you
Yeah, we know; next to pico projectors it's hard to find any bit of technology more boring than digital photo frames. These days they don't catch our eye unless they can print pictures of your pre-school beauty queen or integrate some unexpected combination of networking hardware. Still, they're selling like hotcakes, set to be in 25 percent of "broadband households" by the end of the year. Adoption in dial-up households has not been revealed but we're guessing it's... slower. For those folks we recommend the first ever analog digital frame that may not print anything or hit Flickr or even automatically cycle through those pictures in that hidden directory you forgot about, but it is at least made entirely of wood, which makes it better for the environment than CFL LCDs. And, at just $25 from ThinkGeek, it's a perfect holiday gift -- for yourself.
