Smartwatches are an important product category in their own right and also a barometer for a complete picture of the active breadth of technology ecosystems. Smartwatches, primarily from Apple or using the Android environment, form a sizable market share, in active use by one-ninth to one-fourth of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan. Gen Z and millennial adults are leading their use. The Boomer/Silent generations have a small but quickly growing share. Looking ahead, purchase plans are not substantial, although they describe a reasonable replacement market.
This MetaFAQs reports on the market penetration of smartwatches, split by generational age group, Apple and Android, and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1218_wret] in TUP Lenses: Consumer Electronics; Technology Ecosystems; Wearables, Hearables, Listening, and Speaking
Peak smartwatch? Time for a strategy shift
Smartwatches have quickly gained popularity, gracing the wrists of millions. These devices offer more than just timekeeping and fitness monitoring; they’ve evolved into personal assistants. Users value their multi-functionality, utilizing them for calendars, health metrics, reminders, and more. In addition, they’ve become a symbol of modern luxury. However, the latest wave of TUP confirms that the smartwatch market penetration seems to have reached a peak or plateau. Now, it’s largely about replacing older models rather than attracting first-time users. Therefore, manufacturers need to adapt their strategies, focusing less on expanding their user base and more on meeting the needs of existing customers.
These TUP tables report on the number and percentage of online adults regularly using a smartwatch such as an Apple Watch. They also include the number who are planning to purchase one within the coming 12 months.
American women 40+ and their technology
As the average age of the tech-savvy increases, the face of the average technology user is shifting. A major player in the arena of tech is the American woman aged 40+. This TUPdate reports on the unique attitudes and tech habits of American women at or over 40—a group of 69.3 million Americans. This analysis splits American women aged 40 and older into four segments based on their attitudes, values, and profiles of their use of technology. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0714_fema] in TUP Lenses: User Profile, PCs, Mobile Phones, Households, Activities, Consumer Electronics.
Highlights: Technology Ecosystems
While some device makers focus on speeds, feeds, and features, others are playing the long game to build long-term customer loyalty through ecosystems. This TUP Technology Ecosystems Highlights report reports on the size of leading technology ecosystems, which types of devices are dominating (or not), and their longer-term trends. It details the unique activities users focus on within certain ecosystems, and profiles each ecosystem’s users.
Highlights: Activities
What we do paints a richer picture than what we carry or own. All computers are not used the same and nor are smartphones or tablets. Each user has their preference about how they spend their time. Also, each user expresses their choices about which connected devices they turn to for each type of activity. While some see their tablets as passive movie screens, others rely on them as communication hubs. Some users prefer to shop on a computer, while others rely more on their smartphones.
This TUP Highlights report includes the following sections: main activities across all tech devices, major activities for each device type, activities unique to which device type, cross-device activities, the profile of activity type users, major activities for a market segment, home entertainment activities, the profile by key activities, and listening activities.
Highlights: Wearables, Hearables, Listening & Speaking
Entertainment, communication, and smart homes have all evolved beyond requiring typing on a keyboard or sitting near PC speakers. Wearable and hearables have extended a broad range of audible activities further towards a more personal convenience. However, active usage of any wearables or hearables has varied considerably across market segments. While Bluetooth headphones are widespread, VR headsets persist as niche products among a younger, more affluent, and tech-savvy segment. Smart speakers, in contrast, are showing signs of having peaked after rising in use among a middle market.
This TUP Highlights report includes the following sections: wearables penetration, hearables penetration, wearable devices used, trends in wearables and hearables, purchase plans for wearables, listening activities, penetration of voice assistant usage, the profile of voice assistant users, the profile of hearables users, and the profile of wearables users.
Highlights: Consumer Electronics
Hearables are having a tumultuous time during the pandemic, and users adapt to shifting situations. Webcams are a significant force, as are wireless Bluetooth headsets, both pivotal for users working or schooling from home. Meanwhile, voice-enabled speakers have reached a plateau, reaching their largest share among neither the youngest nor oldest adults. Smartwatches have made inroads across nearly all age groups, especially younger employed adults.
This TUP Highlights report includes the following sections: purchase plans for wearables, hearables penetration, wearables penetration, trends in consumer electronics, the profile of hearables users, the profile of wearables users, the profile of key consumer electronics users, and device activities compared to consumer electronics.
Digital health usage among Americans
Digital technology has empowered people worldwide to be more involved with and aware of their health, with a growing and rich collection of devices and information sources. However, has supply outpaced the demand? This TUPdate reports on the active usage of critical health devices and health-oriented activities. It details the number of online adults in the US, Germany, UK, and Germany who track their steps using a smartphone, uses a smartwatch or fitness tracker, or regularly search for health information online.
Seeking health information online
Online adults regularly use connected devices to look up information from news and sports results to health information such as COVID dashboards and remedies. Searching for health information online is a regular activity among nearly half of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan, and it has shifted since 2017.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the countries surveyed who regularly seek health information online and further details them by age group.
Tracking steps with a smartphone
Regularly walking is a widely accepted way to improve and maintain health and tracking one’s steps is also popular. While there are many ways to track steps – from simple pedometers to fitness trackers and smartwatches, most smartphones also include the ability to track steps.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan that regularly track their steps with smartphones. It details the trend between 2017 and 2021. It further splits out these active walkers by age group within each country surveyed.