Only 1 percent of Americans were using a wearable connected devices, such as a fitness band or smart watch as of July 2015, according to new research from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). These wearable device early adopters tended to use computers and the Internet more frequently and for longer durations than the general population, according to new research from the NTIA about wearable early adopters.
The wearable early adopters also tended to have higher levels of education and family income, and they were more likely to live in metropolitan areas, NTIA highlights in a news release.
Wearable Early Adopters
Nearly 9 in 10 (88 percent) wearable early adopters use a smart or Internet-enabled mobile phone, according to NTIA. That compares to 53 percent of all Americans. The wearable early adopters also reported greater usage of other types of connected devices, including desktop computers. Whereas 34 percent of all households reported using desktop computers in 2015, 55 percent of wearable connected device users said they did.
NTIA’s survey results also revealed that 7 percent of Internet users 15 and older – more than 13 million Americans – said they used an Internet-connected device to control a thermostat, light bulb, security system or other household equipment.
Wearable device users were the most likely to use a connected device to interact with household equipment – 27 percent of all respondents. TV-connected device users (11 percent) and tablet users (10 percent) followed. On the other hand, respondents who said they did not use Internet-enabled mobile phones were the least likely to use connected devices to interact with household equipment.
NTIA collected the data in July 2015 as part of its Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.
