The American research firm Parks Associates has conducted a survey across markets in Asia, Europe, and North America, confirming that countries like South Korea and Japan are leading the trend in building digital homes.
The main content of this research evaluates the popularity, acceptance, and usage habits of technology-related products and services in 13 countries.
Asia’s technology giants, Taiwan and South Korea, occupy the top two positions, followed by the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Five European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, rank from 6th to 11th. China and India are at the bottom of the list; however, they still represent significant electronics markets, especially in urban areas, due to their large populations and substantial purchasing power.
Each Asian country focuses on its unique strengths. For instance, South Korea leads in computer gaming, while Japan emphasizes video and mobile gaming. Consumers in Hong Kong are interested in IPTV, whereas Taiwan is paying attention to the world of home networking.
According to expert John Barrett from Parks Associates, Asia significantly outpaces Europe and North America due to the rich content offerings and extensive broadband penetration in the region. In other words, people in Asia tend to transform computers into entertainment platforms.
This is evidenced by a series of digital applications that enhance daily life, such as Ericsson’s video dating service, which allows participants to record visual messages and send them to their potential partners. Philips’ MyHeart project monitors users’ health through smart biomedical clothing, while Xovulation serves as a mobile family planning tool, and the XFinance app manages finances.
Barrett believes that Asia recognizes that customizable user interfaces and content sharing are essential in every product, while the keys to success are simplicity, personalization, and convergence.
The three primary “connection gateways” are computers, mobile phones, and household appliances, including MP3 players and DVD players. “Digital home technology will emerge when we can connect all the best aspects of the world,” asserts Emmanuel Dieppedalle, Business Director at Philips.
T.N.
