Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Gemstar Intl (GMST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Uncle Frank who wrote (401)	9/30/1999 7:18:00 PM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6516

Gemstar's two-way wireless e-commerce system may provide a second stream of revenues from transaction fees. One touch (of the remote) shopping may prove to be a killer application. SOURCE: Pace Micro Technology plc Digital Television Signals The Future Of Home Shopping, Says The Pace Report BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Interactive television, not the personal computer (PC), is likely to be the consumer's preferred method of home shopping, according to a survey of 1,004 consumers conducted on behalf of Pace Micro Technology by Gallup to mark the first anniversary of the launch of digital television services in the UK (1st October 1999). The Pace Report 2000 is the 3rd annual review of consumer attitudes towards digital television and related subjects. Some 42 percent of consumers would feel more comfortable using television for home shopping, while just 26 per cent of respondents stated a preference for using PCs. Despite reports earlier this year suggesting consumer resistance to home shopping, only 25 per cent of respondents said they would use neither method to buy from home. According to Pace, these figures demonstrate a surprisingly high level of consumer acceptance of interactive digital television services, such as home shopping, even though such services have only recently been introduced and are currently available in just a few areas. Among those consumers who expressed a preference, almost two thirds (59%) favored interactive television over PC-based home shopping (37%). For what is termed the PC Generation, 16 to 24 year olds who have grown up with PCs in school and at home, the margin in favor of using TVs, as opposed to PCs, for home shopping is even greater. Some 65 percent of 16 to 24 year olds favor the use of interactive television. According to Pace, the dominance of TV over PC among this age group bodes well for the long-term future of interactive digital television services. Good news for the digital television industry is also to be found in consumer awareness that cable and satellite operators will be offering additional services beyond increased program choice. Although television- based home shopping and home banking services have only become available very recently, almost three-quarters (72%) of respondents, from across the UK, are aware that these services will be accessible via digital television. That said, the majority of respondents (52%) state they would feel more comfortable using the PC, rather than TV, for email and Internet access. Interestingly, although the ability of interactive digital television to provide Internet access and e-mail services has received little promotion until recently, one in five consumers (21%) would prefer to use the television for these services. Commenting on the research findings, Malcolm Miller, chief executive officer (CEO) of Pace Micro Technology, said, 'Although critical to the initial growth of the digital television industry, increased program choice is only part of a wider revolution that digital television will bring to every home. With the set-top box, we are able to turn the television from a passive entertainment service into one that provides consumers with a range and quality of services in user-friendly format, that PCs will find hard to match. 'For example, this year we are developing a set-top box, for commercial launch in 2000, that incorporates a hard disk, similar to that contained in PCs. This will enable us to offer digital broadcasters services ranging from video recording to Internet access. However, the revolution will not stop there. Our research and development team is already looking at ways of making the digital set-top box the center of the automated home. In the not too distance future, consumers could be remotely controlling a number of household appliances and services via the television.'