Scholarly Research Reveals American Obsession with Technology
A recent report from Forrester Research, gives hope to the tech industry, vision for the future, and a half-humorous/half-disgusted view of the American consumer. Forrester, a technology and market research firm, performed an in-depth investigation of over 50 thousand American and Canadian homes to determine how techie we’ve all become.
The answer: exceedingly so. In Wednesday’s report, everything from HDTV to cell phones received attention. For example, the report revealed the number of hours that we spend online. The average American spends about two hours a day online, and most of that is for personal purposes—Facebook, gaming, etc. With over 60% of families now using high-speed Internet, extensive online time is more possible and enjoyable. 
Forrester also made some observations about the present that impact market positions for the future. Americans have rushed to buy up HDTVs at a record pace. Nearly ten million households purchased HDTVs last year. The number isn’t expected to decrease much over the next several years, with nearly ten million more per year entering consumer homes. That’s good news for the HDTV manufacturing and service provider industry. It also looks rosy for the programming industry.
Beyond merely watching TV, households are getting connected. While HDTVs are the leader in terms of technology consumption, home networks come as a close second. By 2013, thirty million more homes will obtain home networks. Again, this paints a pretty picture for Internet providers, wireless router manufacturers, and the host of online services that will benefit from the influx.
The thirst for connectivity is going somewhere, and that somewhere is gaming. Games are no longer an activity reserved for the lazy teen holed up in his bedroom. Games are now a pastime of half of all American adults. Thanks to technology like the Wii and games like Guitar Hero, families are jumping on the gaming bandwagon in droves. For homes that do not have children, the likelihood of their becoming “hardcore gamers” is pretty high (50% more likely), which means playing games for ten hours or more every week. “Casual gamer” is the designation that describes most Americans—taking part in an occasional free iPhone or online game.
So whatever happened to the “economic downturn?” Technology costs money. Despite talk of the recession, American consumers have been putting their weakening dollar toward strengthening their technology acquisitions. It’s anyone’s guess why that is the trend. What Forrester’s report proves is that America has a fixation on technology. And as technology only increases and becomes more widespread, the technology sector is going to grow.
September 6th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I dont like the iphone… the battery dies fast :s
September 7th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I love this article, it’s so true. My girlfriend’s 8 year old sister is way better at using a computer than her mom is.
September 7th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I agree about the people becoming “hardcore gamers.” Especially with all of the sports games and other games covering any subject you could be interested it.
bowling news
September 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I see nothing good in that people play games and here forget about the real life.
Technologies and their development it is good - they create comforts for people. But it is impossible to stand dependency upon them, forgetting about the duties before families and development itself as personalities.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Over the years all of people will conduct almost all of the time in the internet. About it already Bill Gates talked once.
September 12th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I’m in my mid 30’s and have never owned a cell phone. Never sent or received a text message. Am I the last person on earth that can make this claim?
September 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Glad I’m not alone. I love technology. I always try to make sure it improves my life and doesn’t consume me.
Sometimes easier said then done!
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
“Technologies and their development it is good - they create comforts for people. But it is impossible to stand dependency upon them, forgetting about the duties before families and development itself as personalities.”
Granted, this is true.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I have IPhone 3G and 3GS and I give them a big zero.. they drop calls for nothing. I searched online and I am not the only one.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:17 am
50% of adults play games? The number seem a bit high.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
? ?????? ???????…?????!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
it is a goooooooooooooooood post
thanks for share
December 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I only have a PC and ordinary cellphone and I find it amazing how others really get obsess in getting the latest models of gadgets and always updated on the latest technology..Surely I wanted to find out the reason why but then.. I might get hooked to it..Problem is I can’t afford to have it all.:-)
December 15th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
It is a cool thing!
January 10th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
If this was 2001 then yes, most people today are nerds. However some of the ‘nerdy stuff’ has become so common that we true nerds have to find new nerdy things to nerd on >:)
March 14th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Excellent article!
But statistics shows even greater demand. Now, even impossible to give an accurate forecast for next year.
March 15th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I’ve enjoyed your posts, keep up the good work.