Alexa, Can You Become Even “Smarter?”

Are consumers embracing the ease and intelligence of smart/connected home devices and new home delivery methods? Our recent survey of 1,103 Americans reveals that over six-in-ten own at least one smart/connected home device that isn’t a smartphone, with smart speakers & smart watches being the most common. Those we surveyed also show interest in purchasing smart doorbells/cameras, “Robotic” home cleaning devices, smart thermostats and/or smart home security systems in the next six months.

Around four-in-ten have gifted a smart/connected home device to someone else, with smart speakers and smart watches also the most commonly gifted of these devices. The top reason for gifting a smart device is “I have it and find it useful and thought they also would enjoy it” (53%).

With Amazon’s new feature that allows Alexa to act on a “hunch” and provide an alert if smart home devices aren’t working properly or ask permission to do tasks such as turn on a light that was left on, are consumers into Alexa leveling up to become more proactive? It appears so: the main adjectives they use to describe this feature are helpful, innovative, and convenient. 

Popular retailers have begun rolling out new convenient delivery services; are consumers interested in this? Over half of the subset of Prime Members we surveyed (54%) are at least “a little” interested in Amazon Key, the service that allows Prime Members to have their orders delivered securely into their garages. Interest in Walmart’s InHome service that allows members to have their orders delivered inside their homes/offers the ability to leave returns indoors near the front door to get picked up by a worker is lower: 35% are at least “a little” interested.

Speaking of Amazon Prime, tentpole shopping holiday Prime Day is fast approaching! We’ve got the lowdown on the hot ticket items Prime members will be scouting deals for!