Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

How Many Consumers Actually Have VR Headsets?

Parks Associates released new consumer research this week showing that 2 percent of U.S. broadband households, or 2.3 million households, own a virtual reality headset. The survey of 10,000 U.S. broadband households reportedly reveals that 5 percent of U.S. broadband households plan to buy a VR headset in 2016, an increase from only 1 percent who made a purchase the year prior.

“The big change in VR for 2016 has been the availability or pending availability of VR headsets from companies such as Facebook (Oculus Rift), Google (Google Cardboard) and HTC (Vive). Sony PlayStation VR is expected to be released in October. We expect gamers to be the initial market for VR,” Barbara Kraus, Parks Associates director of research, says. “VR is an immersive experience, and more is better for gamers – more immersion, better sound, better graphics, and more players. The mass market is more likely to adopt mobile VR, which will be less expensive and uses a tool – the smartphone – that the majority of U.S. consumers own.”

From the article "How Many Consumers Actually Have VR Headsets?" by Laura Hamilton.

Previously In The News

Nearly Half of U.S. Households Own and Use Wearable Devices

A recent consumer study conducted by Parks Associates reveals that nearly 50% of U.S. internet households now own and actively use wearable devices, underscoring the growing demand for health and safe...

EV owners also use smart home tech

As electric vehicles continue to gain traction, a recent study from research and consulting firm Parks Associates found a growing trend among EV owners: A strong inclination toward adopting smart home...

Need to Know: Why do we need cross-media measurement?

According to research firm Parks Associates, the average U.S. household with internet access owns 17 connected devices. Even if we strike security cameras and wearables from the list, that’s a lot of...

How insurers are using smart-home technology

A growing number of insurers are following suit, partnering with smart-home technology companies to prevent and manage claims while also enhancing their value proposition, says Jennifer Kent, vice pre...