While comparing home technology trends across the globe, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA Asia Pacific ) has found that homeowners in different parts of the world have different expectations for their technology.  

CEDIA, the leading authority on residential electronic solutions recently compared home technology trends in different parts of the world.  

With a global network of more than 3,500 member companies who design and install residential electronic systems, CEDIA has found some telling differences in the way homeowners around the world use technology.

According to Utz Baldwin, CEO, CEDIA America, the trends show that homeowners are seeking technology applications that are tailored to their unique needs and lifestyles rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

According to CEDIA experts, the electronic systems categories that will trend high for 2011 and beyond are ones that are provide ease of access, improve quality of life, reduce economic and environmental impact, and are easy to use.  

Top Trends in Asia Pacific according to CEDIA Asia Pacific Members:  

Home safety

Homeowners are using integrated technology to set up their homes to communicate safety warnings before disaster strikes.  

UPS devices are becoming popular with increasing strain on power supplies.  

Smoke alarms can now report to a monitoring centre through security systems and automatically take necessary precautions to prevent smoke from spreading.  

Sports fans  

Flat-panel, 3D and high-definition screens, immersive surround sound and fully integrated media rooms are a few tools made available by CEDIA professionals for sports fans to enjoy the stadium experience from the comfort of their homes.    

TV: The new date night  

The new economy has forced many homeowners to stay at home especially on Friday nights.  

Consequently, TV sales have increased and home theatres have become popular as they are seen to improve people’s entertainment spend and quality of life by delivering the full cinema experience in the comfort of their own homes.  

Top Trends in the United States  

TV of the future

TVs will be more like computers, growing more compatible with cameras for video conferencing, social-media-enabled widgets and media receivers.  

App-driven technologies

The adoption rate for applications will continue to grow rapidly, allowing third-party developers to offer a vast array of products, games and interfaces that allow consumers to customise their viewing habits.

Home theatres, gaming and media rooms

Homeowners are increasingly seeking an all-immersive entertainment environment with technologies such as motion chairs, 3D surround sound and giant 3D screen offering the ultimate movie-watching experience.

Top Trends in the United Kingdom

Home control applications for smart phones and tablets

Applications for smart phones and tablets will allow homeowners to control the home's lighting, HVAC, entertainment and various electronic systems.  

The app market has emerged as a complement to dedicated remote controls and touchpanels.

TV on-demand

A growing number of UK clients are interested in on-demand TV content as their busy lives do not allow them to be at home to watch specific programs at designated time-slots.

3D and Blu-ray content

3D technologies will improve as more content is released and screen prices drop.  

Picture quality of 3D screens in standard-definition and high-definition channels will also improve.  

Standard DVD players will be replaced by Blu-ray HD players, which have become more affordable.

MP3  vs. CD vs. Vinyl

While MP3 players have become the new standard in audio enjoyment in the home replacing older CD players, there will always be a market for those who wish to listen to uncompressed music.  

The high-end audiophile will always search for quality over convenience, as proven by the stabilisation of vinyl sales.