Paris (AFP)
One in ten French Internet users use a connected speaker of the Amazon Echo or Google Home type, a use less developed than in the United States or in other European countries but called to conquer a third of homes in the medium term, according to a study presented Tuesday.
This vast study, the result of the very first collaboration between the two CSA and Hadopi regulators, is based on meetings with industry professionals, a market analysis, a series of individual interviews and a Harris Interactive survey conducted in February with of 2,605 individuals, including a group of connected speaker users.
Thus, 10% of Internet users over 15 years old have already used this device recently introduced on the French market (mid-2017 for Google Home) while nearly half (46%) of Internet users have already used a voice assistant (type Siri, OK Google ...).
Although the uses are still relatively basic (ask the weather for 78% of users, search information on the Internet for 75%), cultural practices and media are widespread, including listening to music (89% of users) or radio station (81%).
Domotic uses (control of household appliances, switches, etc.) remain less widespread and concern 36% of connected speaker users.
The object is still considered a gadget by a quarter of users and today only 4% of non-equipped Internet users intend to buy one in 2019, considering that it still offers too few services and also by fear of personal data.
The study estimates, however, that by 2025 connected speakers could be present in 36% of French households.
"It is estimated that the progression will be similar to that of the tablet.In our eyes, the connected speaker will far exceed virtual headset type equipment or connected watch," said Louis de Broissia, a member of the Hadopi responsible for presenting the study.
"There is potential for development in France but the market is not yet ripe.In the United States, where connected speakers have existed since the end of 2014, one in four uses one," said Hervé Godechot of the CSA.
Hervé Godechot notes that the media (radio, TV, press and pure players) are more and more numerous to offer offers and that they have an interest in positioning themselves even if "nobody is making money with it for the moment because the economic model remains to be invented.
For regulators, the sharing of value between media and connected loudspeaker manufacturers but also the referencing of different offers and services are a point of vigilance.
Arcep, the Competition Authority and Cnil also participated in the study.
? 2019 AFP