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Worldwide Survey Shows Global Appetite for High Tech Gadgets is Strong; PC at Center of Homes; Digital Camera is the 'Must Have' 2005 Purchase (23/3/2005)

A recent GMIPoll focussing on new personal technology purchasing patterns revealed that new technology's appeal is strong worldwide. The GMIPoll (www.gmipoll.com), which surveys 20,000 consumers in 20 countries, found that 59 percent have a need for more technology.

In all countries, save the U.S., the PC has overtaken TV as the one technology that people cannot live without. The GMIPoll found that 75 percent of consumers ranked their PC as their must-have technology, compared to 67 percent for TV, while the mobile phone came in at a close third with 54 percent. In the U.S. the TV remains at the heart of the home, favored by 89 percent of consumers -- the PC ranked second with 87 percent.

Looking at what new technology consumers are most likely to purchase in 2005, overall the GMIPoll found that digital cameras came ahead with nearly 40 percent choosing this over wireless, home printing and DVR technology. There is also evidence that demand for digital cameras could trigger a mini-boom in home printing, especially in markets like China where cameras came in at 60 percent and home printing at a close second with 47 percent of those polled.

When consumers were asked what technology they most frequently upgrade with the newest models, 63 percent cited mobile phones. The readiness to replace the old mobile phone with the latest wireless technology seems strongest in Asia and South America. Almost 75 percent of the consumers surveyed in India and China, and 67 percent in South America, said they upgraded their mobile more frequently than any other technology. This compares to 47 percent of American or 37 percent of French consumers.

In regards to what might prevent consumers from upgrading their gadgets, worldwide 79 percent cited cost and contract terms as the overwhelming reason.

The influences on consumers' purchasing choices of new technology vary globally. In the West, the survey suggests that word of mouth is the biggest influence, as opposed to advertising. But in the fastest growing economies of Asia, like India and China, advertising came in as the number one influencer, with 70 percent of polled consumers. Celebrity endorsement, however, makes the least impact globally with only six percent of those polled saying it influenced their technology purchasing decisions.

www.gmipoll.com