Commentary

65% Say Internet-Connected Devices Cost Too Much

Consumers see connected devices as making their lives better, but they say that smart devices are still too expensive.

On the positive side, 70% of consumers say that getting connected devices set up and connected to the internet is easy for them, according to a new study.

Most (71%) consumers own a communications-related connected device, such as a smartphone or laptop, according to the study, comprising a survey of 1,100 U.S. adults conducted by Kantar TNS.

Consumers own a range of connected devices, including entertainment devices like smart TVs (53%), wearables like smartwatches (21%), connected security systems (16%), home interior devices like smart thermostats (15%) and connected kitchen appliances (15%).

The majority (62%) of consumers say that connected devices improve their quality of life and 65% say connected devices are making their life more efficient, up from 55% in the study done in 2016.

New devices are also being adopted by consumers, with 26% having recently purchased a device that was not previously offered as a connected device. One in four consumers say there are not enough connected devices available on the market.

However, having more smart devices may not resolve the underlying issue of cost. The majority (65%) of consumers say that connected devices are too expensive.

But even though they perceive the cost as high, most (75%) consumers say they are happy with the amount of support and special services that are provided with such devices.

And while consumers may feel that smart devices make their lives more efficient and improve their quality of life, there still have some major concerns.

The majority (70%) of consumers are concerned about their location being revealed and their personal information being compromised.

Lower product prices will not resolve those issues.

4 comments about "65% Say Internet-Connected Devices Cost Too Much".
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  1. Doug Garnett from Protonik, LLC, December 11, 2018 at 3:06 p.m.

    Interesting, Chuck. I wonder how much of this is from "SmartTVs" which dominate the actual ownership. They are easy to set up - especially if you're not using much that's smart. And the TV assist devices (OTT, etc) have tremendous payback in life.

    Wonder what the survey would tell us if TVs and TV assist devices as well as watches were taken out?

  2. dorothy higgins from Mediabrands WW, December 11, 2018 at 3:36 p.m.

    Who in earth are 29% unconnected? 

  3. Chuck Martin from Chuck Martin replied, December 11, 2018 at 7 p.m.

    Good point about Smart TVs, Doug. Lots of smart appliances also fall into the category of not being used as smart appliances.

  4. Chuck Martin from Chuck Martin replied, December 11, 2018 at 7 p.m.

    Likely many who do not realize how many connected devices they actually have, Dorothy.

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