Press Releases

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 – As consumers opt for smartphones with larger screens, they are increasing their usage and data consumption. According to the Connected Intelligence Smartphone Usage Report from The NPD Group, monthly Wi-Fi and cellular data consumption on smartphones with screens 4.5 inches and larger is 44 percent greater than it is on smartphones with screens under 4.5 inches, at 7.2GB and 5.0GB, respectively.

Smartphone penetration continues to grow as late adopters enter the market and the number of consumers opting for larger screens is growing. According to the Connected IntelligenceConnected Home Report, in Q3 2013, 61 percent of cell phone subscribers in the US used a smartphone.  Over the past year, the availability of larger smartphones has grown from representing only 11 percent of retail models at the end of Q3 2012, to 28 percent at the end of Q3 2013. As the availability of large screen smartphones has grown, so has data usage, which increased 19 percent in the same time period.

Most of this data consumption on larger phones is coming from greater usage of social media, navigation, video, retail, and music apps. Facebook, Google Maps, YouTube, Amazon (retail), and Pandora Radio are the apps most used among consumers with larger phones.

“OEMs are poised to continue increasing the product assortment and availability of smartphones with larger screen sizes in the coming years,” said John Buffone, director, devices, Connected Intelligence.  “Even though today larger screens represent a smaller part of the market, their relevance is increasing as consumers look for more ways to interact with content while on-the-go.  This is a win, not only for the manufacturers, but also for the carriers as data consumption and usage will keep increasing.”

Methodology
Smartphone Usage Report Data is sourced from an on-device meter "SmartMeter" leveraging a three month rolling panel that provides the equivalent base of 4,500 smartphone users. The panel is weighted and representative of the Android and iPhone U.S. smartphone base. The data was collected between May and July 2013.

Connected Home Report:
More than 5,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the third quarter of 2013 for the Connected Home study.

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 7, 2013 – Over-the-Top (OTT) content, video delivered on connected devices via the Internet - including services such as YouTube and Netflix, is the most prominent way of accessing video content among 18-34 year-olds with connected TVs, according to the new Connected Intelligence Applications and Convergence Report from The NPD Group.  Three quarters (75 percent) use their connected TV or the devices connecting them to view OTT video compared to 68 percent who use their connected TV to watch programming from their cable, satellite, or telecom TV provider.

Streaming media player owners are the most likely to use a connected TV screen to access OTT video content, 81 percent of owners cite doing so.  This is followed by connected Blu-ray Disc player owners (77 percent), connected video game consoles owners (73 percent), and consumers with their TV directly connected to the Internet (66 percent).

“The younger consumer has come to expect a broadband experience from any screen they come in contact with, and their TV is no exception,” said John Buffone, director of devices, NPD Connected Intelligence.  “The pendulum is continuing to shift among younger viewers as each quarter we see more homes connecting their TVs to the Internet.  The pace by which networks develop their digital services for the TV screen will increasingly drive brand equity, viewership, and subscriptions among the critically important under 35 demographic who has become captivated by the availability of OTT video.” 

Not surprisingly, as Netflix continues to post subscriber gains, the service remains the most popular among 18-34 year-old connected TV users.  The top services used by this group are a mix of subscription, free, and transactional offerings. 

“Increasing usage of OTT video services on the TV is opening up new opportunities for networks and pay-TV operators.” said Buffone. “We could see pay-TV operators offering their subscribers services such as Netflix, and Networks’ distribution strategies expanding beyond traditional pay-TV outlets. Increased content access and availability would be a win for the consumer, content owner, and operator.”

Methodology

In Q2 2013, more than 5,000 U.S. consumers, aged 18-years or older took part in this online survey which asked questions about their usage of computers, smartphones, tablets, and connected TVs.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, luxury, mobile, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, and video games.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty

+1 516 625 2357

sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14, 2013 – U.S. homes that tune into family network programming or subscribe to premium movie channels are 20 percent more likely than other network viewers to have their TV connected to the internet, according to a new Connected Intelligence report from global information company, The NPD Group.  The Connected Home Consumer Index Report found that family network viewers are 22 percent more likely to have a TV hooked up to the Internet and premium movie channel subscribers are 19 percent more likely than the norm measured among all Internet homes.  Forty percent of U.S. homes with an Internet connection have at least one TV that’s connected, either through the TV itself, a video game console, Blu-ray Disc player, or streaming media player.

As networks develop television apps such as HBOGO it’s critical for them to know how much of their audience is reachable on the TV. It’s of equal importance to know which devices are delivering the Internet connection and ultimately their content to the screen.  When ranking network viewers’ likelihood to have a TV connected to the Internet, family networks are in four of the top ten spots and premium movie channels command three.  These networks are able to capture more of their audience through over-the-top services on the TV.

The Connected Home Consumer Index report finds that families are using video game consoles more than any other device to connect their TVs to the Internet. Programming from networks such as Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and ABC Family is obviously geared to households with children. These homes with children under age 18 are 63 percent more likely than the general Internet population to have a TV that is connected to the Internet through a video game console.

“Having a viewing audience that owns connected game consoles is a huge asset to a networks’ digital distribution strategy,” said John Buffone, Director of Devices for NPD Connected Intelligence “Our Connected Home Forecast found that video game consoles are the most prominent device delivering Internet to the TV.  In fact, 29 percent of U.S. Internet homes currently have a game console connected to the Internet and we project they will retain dominance through 2015.”

While networks are beginning to develop their own apps for the TV, the top video services used on the TV are still content aggregation services Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Instant/Prime Video.  Newer network services such as HBOGO still rank much lower on the list.

Methodology

More than 5,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the second quarter of 2013 for the Connected Home study. Unless otherwise specified, connected TVs are connected to the Internet directly through the TV itself or another device such as a video game console, Blu-ray Disc player, or streaming media player.  Devices measured in the Consumer Index are actually Internet connected not just Internet capable.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, luxury, mobile, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, and video games.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, AUGUST 5, 2013 – The awareness and momentum behind smartphone trade-ins is growing in the U.S.  According to a new NPD Connected Intelligence report, Trade In, Trade Up, Trade Out, more than 60 percent of smartphone consumers are aware of their trade-in options for a new device and 55 percent of them plan to take advantage of it the next time they upgrade.

Currently, only 13 percent of smartphone owners say they traded in their last mobile device, but the growing awareness and trade-in options have the potential to shift carrier and retailers loyalty.  Among smartphone consumers, 30 percent said they would switch carriers if a different carrier offered a better trade-in deal, and almost 62 percent said they are willing to go to a different retailer (but not necessarily switch carriers) for a better trade-in price.

“Trade-ins, in their many variations, are the new competitive battlefield for carriers, retailers and OEMs,” said Eddie Hold, vice president of Connected Intelligence. “Consumers are embracing these smartphone trade-in options and open to alternative models in return for a better trade-in value. This means that the consumer may not necessarily shop at the carrier store for their next device, but instead may look to big box retailers if the trade-in price is right.”

To get more insight from Eddie about what these trade-in programs mean for retailers and carriers read his latest blog.

Click here for more details of the Trade In, Trade Up, Trade Out innovation report.

Methodology

The Connected Intelligence report, Trade In, Trade Up, Trade Out, is based on a survey of 1,000 smartphone users. The survey was conducted in July 2013 via smartphones.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, luxury, mobile, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, and video games.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, MAY 21, 2013 - Wireless carriers are making inroads getting tablet owners to use the cellular capability on their devices, but there are still an overwhelming majority of tablet owners who don’t use it.  According to new NPD Connected Intelligence research, cellular connections for tablets grew 48 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, but still are only utilized on 12 percent of the tablets in the U.S.

“Most consumers haven’t found that key application convincing them to add a cellular connection,” says Eddie Hold, vice president, Connected Intelligence. “Another set-back is that many tablets purchased today do not include a cellular modem, which further limits the directly-addressable market for mobile operators. Instead, these operators need to focus on tethering and mobile hotspot solutions in order to grow the market more rapidly.”

Where cellular connectivity has been activated, usage consumption is actually lower than smartphones, with an average of 850 MB of cellular data used per month, compared to 1 GB on smartphones, according to the Connected Intelligence Mobile Data Consumption Report. This contrasts with tablet Wi-Fi data use, which averages around 10 GB of data per month, or more than 2.5 times the amount of Wi-Fi data being used on smartphones.

“Tablet cellular consumption is very similar to that of smartphones and typically exhibits similar traits,” said Hold. “The difference in consumption on the Wi-Fi side comes from much higher video consumption on tablets (4GB per tablet per month), which accounts for 40 percent of all tablet data traffic, compared to less than 10 percent of data consumption on smartphones.”

The connected tablet market is currently dominated by and AT&T and Verizon Wireless according to the Connected Intelligence Mobile Broadband Market Share Report. This is, in large part, due to the fact that most consumers purchase the tablet connection from their current cellular (smartphone) provider. This, combined with an early embrace of iPads has helped the two top carriers to own a very significant share of the market.

“The combination of a current dominant position, and the launch of mobile share plans last year, have helped the top two carriers strengthen their market share,” says Hold. “However, unlike smartphone subscriptions, these tablet users can prove to be far more fickle in their ongoing need for cellular tablet connections and all carriers need to work hard to show the value and benefit that comes from an always-on tablet solution in order to defend – and expand – their all-important tablet base. Finding the key use scenarios for mobile tablet use, rather than the current nomadic tablet usage is key.”

Methodology

The Mobile Data Consumption Report leverages on-device metering (the SmartMeter) with a panel of 2300 users. The data provides an accurate measurement of mobile data use including both cellular and Wi-Fi data.

The Mobile Broadband Market Share Report uses a combination of carrier financial data, consumer panel information and sales data, combined with other proprietary sources to create a view of the connected device market.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information, visit:  connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, entertainment, fashion, food/foodservice, home, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, video games, and wireless.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, MAY 1, 2013 – Forty-seven percent of home entertainment devices (Internet-capable TVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, video game consoles, and streaming media devices) are currently connected and being used for their online capabilities. But the degree to which these devices are used online varies significantly, according to global information company The NPD Group’s Connected Intelligence Connected Home report.

Internet capable TVs and Blu-ray disc players are the least likely to actually be connected to the Internet and used for their online features, while streaming media players and video game consoles are connected and used the most.

“While there are more Blu-ray disc players installed and connected to the Internet than streaming media players such as Apple TV and Roku, we expect that to change in the next year,” said John Buffone, director, devices, NPD Connected Intelligence.  “Streaming media players will exceed the number of installed and Internet connected Blu-ray players in 2014.”

This inflection point will help drive over-the-top content adoption, as the new generation of streaming media devices are optimized for content delivery, providing a more compelling interface that will aid in consumer discovery of new services, especially when compared to Blu-ray disc players.

According to the Connected Intelligence Application & Convergence report, 40 percent of TVs connected to the Internet, either through the TV itself or through another device, are used to watch Netflix streaming.  Nearly 1-in-5 are used for YouTube video and 1-in-10 to watch video on Hulu’s ad-supported or Hulu Plus service.  Within the top three services, the usage numbers drop precipitously from 40 percent down to 11 percent.

“Content usage remains dominated by Netflix and YouTube,” said Buffone. “An opportunity for digital distribution lies in enticing consumers to plug in to the Internet and download the apps available on devices they already own.” 

Methodology

More than 4,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the first quarter of 2013 for the Connected Home and Application & Convergence study. The number of installed and internet connected devices includes those that deliver broadband applications. 

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, luxury, mobile, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, and video games.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

Apple’s AirPlay is the most well-known

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, APRIL 15, 2013 – Screen mirroring technologies, which gives consumers the ability to wirelessly project content from smartphones, PCs or tablets directly to a television, have already captured the attention of a large percentage of tablet and smartphone owners.

According to the Connected Intelligence Inception of Screen Sharing report from global information company The NPD Group, 40 percent of smartphone and tablet owners are aware of screen mirroring capabilities.  Awareness is strongest among men and 18-34 year olds. Screen sharing technology usage, however, is significantly lower than awareness at just 7 percent of tablet and smartphone owners.

“Screen sharing solutions are somewhat new, many only launched in 2012, so we don’t expect a lot of consumers to be using the technology yet,” said John Buffone, director of devices, at NPD.  “The awareness number is a positive indicator and will help build the foundation to engage more consumers with second screen experiences.”

Apple AirPlay, Samsung AllShare, and Xbox SmartGlass lead in awareness among tablet and smartphone owners.  Apple is clearly the front-runner for consumer mind share, yet only 3 percent of tablet and smartphone owners cite using the AirPlay technology for mirroring their mobile device screen onto their TV.

Of the 7 percent of tablet and smartphone owners using screen mirroring to project to their TVs, most of the sharing was photos and videos.  Seventy-five percent of tablet and smartphone owners shared videos from their mobile devices to the TV, and a little more than half used it to project pictures.

“Breaking into the mass-market is often a challenge with a new technology,” said Buffone.  “Currently, several of the screen mirroring applications such as AirPlay and AllShare require specific devices to operate.  Bringing screen sharing experiences to a larger consumer base will require simplifying hardware requirements as well as amplifying the value of being able to share content across screens.”

Methodology

More than 2,600 U.S. smartphone and tablet owners were surveyed in Q1 2013 for this report.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, luxury, mobile, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, and video games.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, MARCH 21, 2013 –According to the new Connected Intelligence Carrier Smartphone Report, from global information company The NPD Group, network speed has grown significantly in importance from 25 percent of smartphone owners considering a switch in carriers in Q4 2011 to 41 percent in Q4 2012. Network reliability and better coverage also grew in importance among those consumers.

“With more data-hungry applications and content hitting smartphones, consumers need to make sure they have a network that’s fast enough to enhance their experience, no matter where they go,” said Brad Akyuz, director, access practice, NPD Connected Intelligence.  “Consumers are willing to break ties with a network that can’t support their data needs and are leaning towards carriers that can provide enhanced data networks.”

Verizon Wireless is the top choice among cellphone owners when it comes to network speed, followed by AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile, even though being ranked fourth, was the only other carrier besides Verizon to increase customer perception of its network data speeds.

“Overall, Verizon Wireless receives high marks from consumers for everything from pricing and reliability to speed and device selection, and that sentiment continues to grow,” said Akyuz.  “Verizon operates the largest 4G network in the U.S. and has put a lot of marketing dollars behind its 4G LTE, which appears to be paying off.  T-Mobile has also made strides in how consumers perceive their network speed. They were the only other carrier to gain ground.”

Methodology

The Smartphone Carrier Report data is sourced from the Access Adoption and Intent survey of 3,500 U.S. consumers from The NPD Group’s online panel.  The study was fielded in Q4 2012.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, entertainment, fashion, food/foodservice, home, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, video games, and wireless.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter:@npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty
+1 516 625 2357
sarah.bogaty@npd.com

Growth fueled by the addition of over 26 million tablets and smartphones

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, MARCH 18, 2013 – There are now more than half a billion devices in U.S. homes that are connected to the Internet and deliver apps, according to new findings from the Connected Intelligence Connected Home Report from global information company The NPD Group.  Increases in tablet and smartphone penetration drove the U.S. market to this milestone.

Overall, the number of connected devices per U.S. Internet household has grown to 5.7, up from 5.3 devices three months ago. In that time frame, the installed base of tablets increased by nearly 18 million and there are nearly 9 million more smartphones users.  Amongst this growth, Apple and Samsung remained the most prevalent smartphone brands consumers own, and Apple continues to dominate the tablet market.

“Even with this extraordinary growth in the smartphone and tablet market, PCs are still the most prevalent connected device in U.S. Internet households, and this is a fact that won’t be changing any time soon,” said John Buffone, director, devices, NPD Connected Intelligence.  “However, when you look at the combined number of smartphones and tablets consumers own, for the first time ever it exceeded the installed base of computers.” 

PC penetration among U.S. Internet connected households is nearly ubiquitous at 93 percent, but virtually unchanged over a three month period. Smartphones and tablets, however, increased their penetration.  Smartphone penetration rose from 52 percent to 57 percent of cell phone users while tablet penetration increased significantly from 35 to 53 percent of Internet households.

“It’s hard to believe that tablets and smartphones are still somewhat in their infancy,” said Buffone. “But as we have seen in just the past few months, there is significant potential for this market to develop further.”

How will the Samsung S 4 launch impact the market? Read John Buffone’s blog to get his take.

Methodology

More than 4,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the first quarter of 2013. The number of installed and internet connected devices includes those that deliver broadband applications such as computers, tablets, smartphones, HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, video game consoles, and streaming media set top boxes. 

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, entertainment, fashion, food/foodservice, home, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, video games, and wireless.  For more information, visit www.npd.com and npdgroupblog.com.  Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

CONTACT:

Sarah Bogaty

+1 516 625 2357

sarah.bogaty@npd.com

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 – Content that was once primarily accessed by consumers on their PCs, is shifting to mobile devices. According to the Connected Intelligence Application and Convergence Report from global information company, The NPD Group, 37 percent of consumers who used to access content on their PCs switched to their tablets and smartphones.

The top two activities that consumers are shifting from their PCs to their tablets and smartphones are web browsing and Facebook.  Among tablet owners, 27 percent say they are using their PC less frequently for accessing the Internet and 20 percent say they are using their PC less frequently for accessing Facebook. Twenty-seven percent of smartphone owners have decreased both their Internet and Facebook usage on their PCs because they now use their smartphone for these activities.

Consumers are still using their computers for many of the core PC-centric activities, but the tablet and smartphone are gaining traction.  Internet browsing is still highest among PC owners at 75 percent, smartphones at 61 percent, and tablets at 53 percent.  Facebook interaction follows the same rank with PC owners at 63 percent, 55 percent for smartphone owners and 39 percent among tablet owners.

Top Activities Where Mobile Devices Mitigate Computer Usage

And, it’s not just mobile devices that are drawing attention from the computer; 21 percent of consumers that have a TV connected to the Internet are now switching from their computer to using their TV to watch video from streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Instant Video.

“Despite these shifts in behavior, computers will remain the fundamental content creation device in consumer’s tool box for many years to come,” said John Buffone, director of devices, Connected Intelligence.  “Consumers, however, are switching their entertainment-centric behaviors to tablets, smartphones, and connected TVs at warp speed.  During 2013 this trend will be further perpetuated as more mobile devices become enabled with screen sharing technologies such as AllShare and Miracast that allow users to bridge their mobile devices to their TV screens.”

To learn more about the Application and Convergence Report and our Connected Home Report, join us for a Webinar on February 20, 2013 at 2pm Eastern.

About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions.  By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth.  Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, video games, and wireless.  For more information, visit npd.com and npdgroupblog.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sarah Bogaty

+1 516 625 2357

sarah.bogaty@npd.com