Smart Speakers Are Most Prevalent Controller in 35% of US Homes, Says Parks

Smart speakers are the most prevalent smart home controller, used by 35 percent of smart home owners, Parks Associates blogged Thursday. Five percent of U.S. broadband households use their smart speaker as a hub vs. 3 percent that use a home security system and 2 percent with independent control hubs. Most smart homeowners operate their devices individually, but voice control's rise and the growing number of connected devices in homes is nudging more toward centralized control, said analyst Dina Abdelrazik. Such homes average more than 10 devices, and voice is emerging as a key interface for managing them, she said. "A smartphone app may be sufficient for houses with just one device, but when people get their fourth or fifth product, using individual apps for each device creates friction."