• May 20, 2008

Consumer media equipment company Motorola says young adults are influencing their parents' technology decisions more than ever before.

A study of 16- to-27-year-olds, which the technology company calls "Millennials," found that three-quarters of young adults influence their parents' technology purchases--a 71% sway over cable, DSL and dish-satellite services and 62% impact buying a HDTV set and TV programming packages. In addition, 70% say their expectations are far greater than their parents' when it comes to better media experiences and mobile broadband access.

Other research showed that 85% of these young viewers have cable or satellite television service, and that 42% want a DVR to go along with them. Thirty-five percent of those with HDTV want to have more HD programming.

In regard to newer technologies, a strong majority--84%--want to get TV programs and movies. About the same number want to able to pause a TV program in one room and resume play in another room in the home. These mighty tech consumers also want to be able to download TV programs from a DVR to mobile players.

--Wayne Friedman