Consumers getting behind the Internet of Things revolution
Fri 11 Jul 2014
British consumers look set to embrace the Internet of Things and mobile cloud as new research identifies an enthusiasm for wireless accessories.
Research commissioned by Bluetooth Special Interest Group has revealed that 60% of the consumers currently possess a wireless-connected accessory such as a keyboard or smart home device and this is expected to grow to 72% by 2016.
“Brits are latching on big time to the many benefits of a wireless connected world,” said futurologist Dr James Bellini. “This new era of ‘mobile-cloud’ is driving a revolution in how we live, work, consume and socialise. Above all, the years ahead will see a ‘smart’ revolution, with the Internet of Things and wireless technologies offering limitless possibilities in how we run our homes, neighbourhoods, even entire cities.”
Just over two thirds accept that within five years it will be normal for everyone to own at least one wireless connected device that’s not a smartphone or tablet and that 58% believe connected devices could make the things they do every day quicker and easier. Nearly three quarters of the respondents think that wireless device control will increase over the next five years and just over half want to be able to control home appliances remotely through a smartphone.
Wearable technology received slightly less fulsome support but 39% believe it will see the biggest growth in the next twelve months followed by smart home devices (24%).
Such technology is critical to the development of the Internet of Things and this degree of backing by consumers will be welcome. “It’s clear that consumers are seeing the benefit that wireless accessories of all types can bring them, with over half (58%) stating that connected devices could make the things they do every day quicker and easier,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “But they also want devices that work seamlessly with their smartphones and tablets, are easy to use and provide them with the data they want.”
