A new generation of  “smart TVs” and other Internet connected devices are now rapidly entering the consumer electronics market which have the potential to dramatically transform home entertainment as we know it.

Led by such companies as Apple, Google and Amazon, these products have already redefined the basic tenets of television and web programming. Apple in particular has been cited repeatedly by business analysts and the tech press as rumored to be working on a new so-called “iTV.” Purportedly, this device will seamlessly integrate both their mobile and home platforms with a variety of content and services, to create an entirely new kind of “anytime, anywhere” viewing experience.

If properly implemented, this concept could ultimately disrupt the home entertainment industry; in much the same manner Apple has already impacted the computer, music, telephone, tablet, publishing and retail industries. To understand the implications of this, Quixel Research and TFCinfo, recently conducted a comprehensive survey on this topic.

The report entitled “The Projected Impact of Apple iTV and Other Connected Devices on Consumer Entertainment” provides a comprehensive view into the preferences and predispositions towards connected devices, content and services, as well as the emerging attitudes toward Apple products and the hotly debated iTV concept.

“Given that Apple has yet to make a formal announcement about this product, the survey focuses primarily on determining the exact nature of its “value proposition”; rather than having respondents merely react, in a vacuum, to a price,” states Tamaryn Pratt, president of Quixel Research. “The results carry profound implications for not just electronics manufacturers and software developers, but entertainment companies and service providers, as well.”

Most consumers continue to use their TVs in the traditional manner, which means “watching” it rather than “connecting” with it. Increasingly, we are now seeing that consumers are looking to seamlessly connect their home entertainment products with their mobile devices and a variety of content and services, while realizing more capability from their televisions as well.

This research shows that there’s a major disconnect between current “smart” or Internet-enabled TVs and consumers. Despite thousands of available apps, digital content is only being streamed by 50 percent of these owners, on a daily or weekly basis, and more than 80 percent said that this content was being used solely for playing movies. This research, however, shows that this scenario would dramatically change if Apple introduces its anticipated iTV.

Some findings from this research include:

• Intent to purchase an iTV is understandably high among Apple product owners (88 percent), and a remarkable 80 percent of all current flat-panel TV owners also indicate they would be either extremely, very or somewhat interested in purchasing one of the new Apple television (assuming that it includes the company’s traditional attributes–advanced design, innovative features, simple interface, convenient usability and easy connectivity to other Apple devices).
• Apple device owners outpace all others in expressing an interest to buy a TV with wireless web connectivity (80 percent), having access to cloud storage features (73 percent). and synching their TV to other devices (67 percent).
• Almost 80 percent of respondents are already using a “second screen” while watching TV. However, these devices may not be “connected” to the primary TV in the home. Among those responding, laptops are the most often used device in this scenario, and Apple owners show higher smart phone usage (87 percent) and tablet usage (66 percent) than non-Apple owners.
• Respondents are also beginning to move content from a second screen to their primary television, with 23 percent reporting they are moving content daily. However, the majority of respondents who move content are not willing to pay more to “throw” it from one device to another; although 41 percent are willing to pay more to move movies.
• 3D, voice and gesture command, touch screens and portability features on connected televisions do not resonate highly with any of the consumer groups measured and rate the lowest of all television features desired.

To get the report, go here: http://www.tfcinfo.net/5.html