The 3 Hottest Smart Home Entertainment Trends

Smart gadgets are the new normal in many homes, with internet-connected products now available to help with everything from cooking to cleaning and beyond. One area that smart devices are particularly popular, however, is the smart home entertainment space — more than 475 million smart video entertainment devices will be sold in 2023, the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicted.

Smart home entertainment systems make it faster, easier and more fun to watch your favorite shows, play your favorite games and listen to your favorite music. These systems are evolving every year, and there are a number of new smart home trends taking off in 2020.

1. Smart 4K TVs are the New Norm

Streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Apple TV have been a staple for cord-cutters in recent years, but many new TVs have smart capabilities built right in. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) predicted these smart models will make up a whopping 74% of TV sales in 2020.

These internet-connected devices allow you to stream media directly from sites like Netflix and Hulu, and many also include voice-command abilities that let you search without ever lifting the remote. Additionally, the CTA predicted that 50% of the TVs sold in 2020 will have 4K ultrahigh-definition resolution, thanks in part to the more accessible price point of this feature. This will allow your family to enjoy super-crisp images as you watch your favorite shows and movies.

2. OTT is Taking Over

Speaking of cord-cutters, over-the-top media services, also called OTT, are continuing to grow in prominence. OTT refers to streaming sites like Netflix and YouTube, which provide media straight to consumers via the internet, going “over the top” of cable companies. Naturally, you need some type of smart device, whether a smartphone, smart TV or streaming box, to use these services.

Google noted that time spent streaming OTT media is growing at a rate of 28% year-over-year, and watch time of YouTube videos on TV screens is currently over 250 million hours a day. These services are winning loyalty by letting you watch exactly what you want, when you want with limited interruptions — even baby boomers are increasingly using YouTube for both entertainment and learning, according to Google.

3. Smart Assistants Serve as Hubs

Cisco estimated there will be 13 internet-connected devices per person in the U.S. by 2023, and as people add more smart products to their homes, families will increasingly use smart assistants to manage all of their gadgets.

“Smart assistants will act as the point of contact with multiple smart home devices and essentially become the cornerstone of the smart home experience,” explained Ramon Llamas, research director for the IDC.

Products like the Amazon Echo and Google Home can help you control your smart TV, gaming systems and streaming devices, all using voice commands. Many of these hubs can also sync with smart home locks, lights, thermostats and more, so no matter what action you want to complete, it’s just one command away — no remotes or apps necessary.

These up-and-coming smart home trends in the entertainment sector are all focused on creating more convenient, personalized experiences. With these technologies in your house or apartment, you can enjoy your favorite media when, where and how you want it.