Percentage of people out there using webcams? Flash 8+ users specifically.
Anyone have metrics on percentage of people out there with webcams on their computer? I’ve bee looking around for this number, but can’t find anything concrete. I’m looking to possibly build a flash site for a client that uses some webcam technology, but want to make sure that a good chunk of the audience can use the functionality I’m planning.
I know I have seen some great stuff out there (games, mostly) but no one really using it as an interface element or main site focus (webcamtastic.com excluded)… if you have some examples of it being used for site navigation, etc let me know… I’d love to see it. I know Grant Skinner and Mario Klingemann have some great stuff out there.
Of course, what I am planning would also be usable via standard keyboard/mouse UI but a little something extra might be a cool trick.
Posted on February 25, 2007
John Dowdell Feb 25
That’s an interesting question… I don’t recall stats for webcam deployment either. I don’t think it’s exposed to JavaScript, and I think even the Adobe Flash Player would pop up a permissions box before those system capabilities could be tested, maybe that’s why this information is hard to find.
One direct method may be to compare the unit sales of webcams to unit sales of new computers, but I’m not sure how easy it would be to learn either.
I’ve seen some businesses set up recently around the idea of live cam communication, so some audiences can support it, but I’m not sure where the general population is at. I’d be interested if other commenters can suggest other methods to learn about general webcam availability….
jd/adobe
Caz Mar 13
flash can detect whether you have a camera without needing permission, permission is needed to get video, so people dont spy on others without them knowing!
wonder if some resourceful banner company has tracked this data yet, will ask around.
David Carr Mar 18
Yes, this widespread lack of statistics is probably the biggest thing holding back the implementation of Augmented Reality and other webcam based creative executions. We’ve just developed a webcam based online ad for Orange (http://davidjcarr.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/orange-drum-machine-is-eyeblaster-campaign-of-the-month-no-2/) but I am still searching for decent webcam penetration numbers for another campaign that would use the technology in a more important role.
The best I can find is a 9% usage rate from a 2006 Mintel report. Has anyone got anything better or more up to date?
Cheers, David
Cam Nov 4
I added your blog to my favorites
More of this please Bye from Sweden
Gael Feb 25
3 years later, I am also looking for the same info. Some webcam penatration number, and if possible by country
If anybody has anything to share, it would be hugely useful.
Thanks
Gael
myles peyton Jun 2
I Dont know if this helps…French study
35 % of French peoples are using a webcam on regular basis
70% of French people agree that webcam is useful
98% of French people thinks that PC had a direct impact on their leisure especially the webcam.
98% of 15/25 years aged people knows how to use a webcam
66 % of 50/64 years aged people knows how to use a webcam
Feel free to contact me as I have plenty of stats
Cheers
Mp