Commentary

Consumers Turn To Video Streaming, Buying More Tech During Pandemic

Consumers homebound due to COVID-19 are using a wide range of technology to keep them occupied.

More than half (56%) of U.S. households using tech services are using streaming video services, nearly a third (32%) are streaming music and 22% are streaming live TV.

These are among the findings in the latest Tech Use and Purchase Tracker by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), comprising a survey of 1,000 U.S. households

Nearly a fifth (19%) of households used video and conference call platforms, such as Zoom or Slack over the past week, an increase of 7% from the week before.

“Americans are getting creative as they use tech devices and services to stay connected during the COVID-19 crisis,” states Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of research, CTA. “Not only are more Americans using video conference call platforms, they’re using the platforms socially too, with a surge in virtual birthday parties, happy hours and game nights.”

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Consumers at home also are buying tech.

During the last week, 16% bought a smartphone, 15% headphones/earbuds, 11% a TV, 6% a smartwatch or a smart home security camera, 5% a wearable activity tracker or smart speaker and 2% purchased a virtual reality headset.

Consumers are leaning on tech while waiting out the pandemic.

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