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Consumer Awareness and Preference of Bluetooth® Technology at All-Time High, Demand for IoT Connectivity Soars
[April 27, 2016]

Consumer Awareness and Preference of Bluetooth® Technology at All-Time High, Demand for IoT Connectivity Soars


A recent survey conducted by Lux Insights, Inc. puts consumer awareness of Bluetooth wireless technology at 92 percent globally, with 62 percent of respondents reporting a purchasing preference for Bluetooth enabled products, noting Bluetooth is reliable, easy to use, and makes life easier. The proliferation and success of Bluetooth captured the imagination of the consumer, leading to increased demand for unique wireless applications, most notably home automation, location-based services, personal monitoring and tracking, and remote access control. Industry analyst ABI Research (News - Alert) projects that over three billion Bluetooth enabled products will ship this year alone.

"Bluetooth delivers a connection that just works for consumers globally, whether they are listening to music or tracking their steps. This has led to a shift in expectations of what connectivity can be," said Errett Kroeter, vice president of marketing for the Bluetooth SIG. "Consumers are looking to experience that same convenience and connectivity in all aspects of their lives and we are consciously building the technology to deliver these effortless connections."

Demand for IoT connectivity is focused in areas where consumers need additional control and insight. Respondents reported the highest interest in location awareness applications (solutions that aid first responders in emergency situations or aid navigation in public spaces and buildings), home automation (controlling lighting, locks, temperature from inside and outside of the home), and personal monitoring (secure monitoring and sending sensitive health and wellness data).

Kroeter added, "The Bluetooth technology roadmap specifically addresses consumer interest in new applications for wireless technology. Better still, many of the applications they are most interested in are available today. Bluetooth enabled beacons currently allow for city navigation in multiple locations; Bluetooth hubs can sync connected hoe devices and give users control through an internet gateway; Bluetooth moved the sports and fitness market from niche to mainstream in less than two years. All of these exemplify our vision of creating an unthinkably connected world that makes life simpler and establishing an IoT that is accessible to everyone."



Additional key findings:

  • On average, consumers now own almost four Bluetooth enabled products (increased from 2.7 in 2012)
  • Bluetooth awareness has increased six percent since 2012 (92 percent in 2016, 87 percent in 2012)
  • Bluetooth usage has increased 32 percent since 2012 (78 percent in 2016, 59 percent in 2012)
  • Nearly two thirds of consumers prefer Bluetooth in their new technology purchases

Regional breakdown of survey findings will be covered at http://blog.bluetooth.com. For additional information on Bluetooth technology, visit www.bluetooth.com.


About the Study

Online survey conducted by Lux Insights, Inc. a Canada based brand research firm, in five languages across seven countries in January 2016 among 2,912 consumers responsible for technology purchases. Margin of error ±1.8%.

About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth is the global wireless standard for simple, secure connectivity. Propelled by a global community of nearly 30,000 companies, Bluetooth serves to unify, harmonize, and drive innovation in the vast range of connected devices all around us. Through collective creation and shared technical standards, Bluetooth simplifies, secures and enriches the technology experience of users worldwide.

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