Computers Now Seen as Happy Happy Joy Joy

New survey says computer users, especially teens, see it as entertainment center:

The survey, which polled more than 2,000 computer users over age 13, found that the computer is redefining how people are entertaining themselves at home. The results revealed that 61 percent view the PC as more important than the home stereo while 43 percent see it as more important than the television.

“We were blown away with the number of people who are using the computer as their center of entertainment,” said Hal Quinley, group president at Harris Interactive. “These results indicate people look to their computer as a TV, DVD player, stereo and CD player combined.”

….Among teenagers, 73 percent said they want to access music files on their PC from anywhere in the home, compared with 35 percent of the adult respondents. Likewise, 52 percent of teens are interested in having a home network to connect multiple devices in the home — such as televisions and stereos — to the PC, compared with 35 percent of the adults.

….While the PC is still predominantly a productivity tool, its use as an entertainment device is quickly catching up, Cadieux said.

“I think we’re at that point where it’s starting to tip in the other direction,” she said. “We haven’t reached groundswell but I don’t think we’re five or 10 years out either. Consumers are still interested and excited about the potential of technology. There is a lot of opportunity for the industry to get into that mindset.” [SiliconValley.com]

All the more reason not to blow it with DRM nonsense.