In-Stat: Consumers are only networking their Internet

Consumers are becoming more adept at networking their electronics devices, but that networking is dealing primarily with the Internet. According to a report from In-Stat, consumers are networking their home computers but have not yet begun networking their other devices en masse.

by Kristina Knight

“Improvement is still needed when it comes to consumer awareness of the new breed of PC and non-PC network-capable media devices," said Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst. “The vast majority of non-PC network-enabled stationary devices are not currently used to stream audio and video multimedia streams from room to room.”

By 2011, media server shipments are expected to grow by 62% according to the report, which also notes that worldwide server-capable device shipments will at a compounded 43% per year rate through 2011.

What does this mean for online marketers?

The sooner consumers latch on to the networked device trend the sooner advertisers will have a nearly-always-on-consumer to target. With game devices networked to computers networked to mobiles networked to television, marketers may be able to reach consumers on a near 24/7 level. Those connections won't be completely Internet based, either. Consumers will be able to do more than simply chat with another gamer, share their shopping experience with a friend or connect with a co-worker. They will be able to connect with marketers, engage on a deeper level with their favorite television shows or online video clips.