Media Metrix Announces First Actual PC Usage Trends Data & Analysis: The "US Consumer PC Ownership and Usage REPORT"

Business Wire, Oct 7, 1998

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1998--

From Microsoft Office to Apple' Quicktime and

RealNetworks RealPlayer to Gateway and Intel's

Proshare videoconferencing, what products are

people really using?

How to cut through media and marketing

hype surrounding the plethora of

products aimed at the home PC user?

Media Metrix provides the answers.

Fall Internet World--Media Metrix, The PC Meter Company today announced its premier "US Consumer PC Ownership and Usage" report -- providing a unique insight into what drives ownership and upgrades of hardware and software (to obtain the executive summary visit www.virtualpressoffice.com).

The "US Consumer PC Ownership and Usage" report is the first and only study about technology trends based on a metered approach providing unequalled accuracy as to what PC users are really doing. Covering hardware ownership, software usage and software ownership data, the report also offers the breadth and depth of information gleaned from the last two years of data collection from more than 14,000 PCs being used by 28,000 individuals.

Surprising trends expanded upon in the report include:

-- Games ruled by the old and familiar card games

-- Audio players like RealPlayer, are big, but videoconferencing and

voice recognition are not

-- Convergence index reveals Gateway as top hardware dog

-- Specialized audio, video, network and gaming hardware share

remains miniscule

-- Entertainment products make up only 15% of total PC usage time.

"The 'US Consumer PC Ownership and Usage' report provides a unique insight into the US PC market and the first report to track behavioral data," said Bruce Ryon, Media Metrix Inc.'s senior vice president and chief technology analyst. "This unprecedented report allows marketers and planners to more accurately assess the total available market for new products and services as well as existing and older products."

Media Metrix, The PC Meter Company, is the recognized world leader in the field of usage measurement services for new interactive media and digital technologies. Media Metrix measures real-time, actual usage of the complete digital universe, including the World Wide Web, proprietary online services, computer hardware, computer software and other new interactive technologies in the home and at work. Media Metrix has more than 175 clients, including leading advertising agencies, new and traditional media companies, marketers, financial institutions and technology companies.

Information on Media Metrix, Inc. is available on the company's World Wide Web site: http://www.mediametrix.com.