75 percent in fact aren’t plugged into the Internet they say. Only 15 percent get DLC through a PC or Mac in the US; smartphones a meagre 4 percent.
”What we learned in our research is that while some people already experience the world in a connected way, most do not,” said NPD VP Russ Crupnick. Most devices are simply used for the most basic of functions like email, surfing the net and other quick jobs.
“The promise of the connected experience is coming, as prospective Blu-ray owners want their players to come with connectivity, and half of game consoles are already connected. The doors are also opening wider for music, video, gaming and other forms of entertainment,” said Crupnick.
“Today’s gamer might be a hard-core teenager playing games online with his friends, a 40-something female playing Farmville on Facebook, or everything on either side of that spectrum,” added NPD analyst Anita Frazier.
“We would not have seen this type of audience diversification and expansion if it weren’t for connected internet, smartphone, and online gaming options.” The price drops of Blu-ray players will help install broadband connections in the living room.
Videogames are the key proponents of digital growth thanks to the likes of Nintendo’s Wi-Fi, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live growing in popularity among gamers, and even non-gamers. Connected TVs will start to rise as well say the NPD boffins.
