December 2015

DIY Smart Home Equipment Demand Continues to Grow But At a Slower Rate Than Earlier In 2015

Sliding into Smart Home: Growth Continues to Slow Through September

We’ve had some bold claims with regard to the Smart Home market this year. Our June analysis showed a significant drop in consumer demand for DIY equipment, mostly driven by a fall off in security cameras. Our refreshed analysis in August saw delight increase as demand slowed, a further indication that the main stream market might be leaving DIY Smart Home to the early adopters.
Along the way, we have added new sources and new products to further expand our coverage. As a result, we are delighted to share the revised results of our analysis of Consumer Smart Home demand through September 2015. While the overall demand has increased, the same slowing trend we reported on in June and August persists, with September at the lowest level of any month this year.

Where is the growth coming from? The rebranded Ring and other entry control brands have had significant gains this year while the novelty of smart light bulbs is starting to wear off. Even the darling that drove most of 2014, the humble security camera, has had only single digit demand growth for August and September. What does this mean? DIY Consumers are expanding from their first purchases of Thermostats and Cameras into other equipment to drive up their abode IQ. Though smart lighting has some the highest delight scores in our tracking of consumers, overall interest is falling as consumers are shifting from easy to install novelty products to more complex integrations.

Will the momentum of 2015 continue into 2016? Argus Insights will be at the Consumer Electronics Show in force, following soon after with our predictions for 2016. Let us know if you’d like to catch up in Vegas!

Making Sense of CES with EE Times “Post CES Teardown”

December 29, 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is quickly approaching, and with it comes a wealth of information about the hottest tech trends and newest product announcements. With information being presented across the entire tech industry from the expansion of the Internet of Things, to robot vacuums, to fitness wearables, and beyond, it is hard for anyone to keep track of it all. Never fear, EE Times Radio Post CES Teardown is here.

Join our founder and CEO Dr. John Feland on the EE Times Radio Show for a “Post CES Teardown” scheduled at 1:00PM Pacific, Monday, January 11th, 2016.

John will elaborate on the voice of the consumer amongst the madness of CES, comparing notes with Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications and Mark Boyadijs of IHS Automotive on EE Times Radio’s Post CES Teardown.

We will also be at CES in Las Vegas, please let us know if you will be too and would like to chat.

Who Won Black Friday? Top Smart Home Devices

December 21, 2015

Black Friday in Review: Trending Smart Home Devices

Black Friday deals drove demand for savvy shoppers, and now those who waited until the last minute to purchase their holiday gifts can learn from the sacrifices of the brave Black Friday Warrior. To help make everyone’s last minute holiday shopping easier, Argus Insights looked to consumer reviews just before and after Black Friday to see what consumers bought, liked, and are likely to buy more of as December continues.

Smart Home consumers were really buzzing about Nest’s 3^rdGeneration Thermostat. Buzz and delight grew for this device leading up to Black Friday, and demand will likely continue on a positive path throughout December. The Nest Cam was also a popular Smart Home pick, but a combination of diminishing delight and buzz make it unlikely that demand will surge anytime soon.

Consumers busted down doors to get their hands on a Ring Smart Video Doorbell, as buzz for this product built to a peak just after Black Friday. While the video doorbell was a popular Black Friday pick, this demand momentum will likely fizzle as the holiday season continues.

SimpliSafe’s second edition Home Security System and Netgear’s Wireless Camera round out the most popular Smart Home Devices of Black Friday. SimpliSafe sustained high delight through Black Friday, only to see delight fall in early December. Despite this decrease, there is a small chance this security system will see demand increase. Delight for Netgear’s camera grew after a peak in buzz on Black Friday and the device is likely to delight even more consumers in the coming weeks.

Happy Shopping & Happy Holidays! If you want regular insights into the Smart Home market, check out our full 20/20 Demand Scorecards. Insights are updated every month for Security Cameras, Home Security Kits & Hubs, Smartwatches, Smartphones, and several other markets.

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