Study: Broadband households show growing interest in Smart TVs & tablets

A tepid economy can only make people tighten up their belts so much – especially during the holiday season. According to new research from Parks Associates, those metaphorical belts are about to get a lot looser.

Overall interest in non-PC, online-enabled consumer electronics grew in 2011 among U.S. broadband households, says the firm. Smart TVs and tablets in particular topped intent to buy lists thanks in large part to their social networking and streaming capabilities.

Parks revealed that 10 percent of those surveyed said they would likely purchase a Smart TV by the end of 2011. During the first half of the year, that figure stood at just 6 percent. And here’s where the aforementioned belt-loosening comes into play: those households acknowledged they would likely spend $1,000 or more on a web-ready set.

Not to be outdone, tablets – specifically Apple’s market-leading iPad – also ranked high up on consumers’ wish lists. Nearly 20 percent told the market intelligence group they would purchase a tablet this year, with 40 percent of those respondents claiming it would be an iPad.

Parks believes Apple is “reaping the benefit of being first to a very young marketplace.” It’s hard to argue. The company launched the original iPad in 2010 to strong sales figures that were handily surpassed in March when the iPad 2 hit – and then promptly flew off – store shelves.

It’s unknown exactly what effect Amazon’s newly announced, $199 tablet the Kindle Fire will have on Apple’s market stranglehold. But for consumers eager to snap up new connected CE en masse, another option never hurts. (via Parks Associates)

Do you plan on purchasing a new internet-ready device this year? Let us know in the comment section.