Connecting With Technology: Microsoft Survey Finds Technology Is Bringing Families Together

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American families have experienced a deluge of technology in the home over the past decade, and much has been made about how screen time is impacting family time. However, according to a new survey commissioned by Microsoft Corp., parents say that technology is playing a positive role in their family relationships. The survey, conducted by Impulse Research, found that 64 percent of U.S. parents aged 22 to 40 who were surveyed report that technology helps bring their family closer together. Relying on technology to stay connected is even more apparent among younger parents (aged 22 to 30), with 74 percent reporting the same.

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PCs have gone from productivity machines, hidden in the home office, to entertainment centers that help create family moments, with most parents (43 percent) saying a PC or tablet is the main technology device they use at home with their family. More than half, or 51 percent, of parents say their children are helping them be technologically savvy in finding ways to stay connected as a family.

But just how do you take advantage of all technology has to offer and help ensure screens don't become a barrier to connecting? Alex Guarnaschelli, chef, Food Network personality and busy mother, shares how she uses Microsoft technology to help her during the holidays and connect with her friends and family.

• Lean on your smartphone. Use a smartphone, such as the Windows Phone, to remember your appointments, tasks and holiday to-do items. "My phone is like an alarm clock — I set reminders to alert me if I need to make a phone call or run an errand," Guarnaschelli said. "If an alarm isn't going off, I feel relaxed and safe knowing I'm not forgetting something. When I'm home with my daughter, I want to be really present for her, and technology liberates me to focus on her."
• Leave shopping to the experts. Are you clueless as to what to wear to your holiday party or what gift to purchase for your picky niece? Utilize the Bing Shopping guides to shop handpicked gift ideas for everyone on your list, deck the halls with festive decorations and get fashion advice on what to wear for a holiday party.
• Host holiday meals stress-free. Are you hosting a big holiday meal or party this season? Keep track of favorite holiday recipes through online notebooks such as Microsoft OneNote, a handy resource that comes with Office 2010 and can be used for organization, as well as meal planning and keeping track of ingredients. Guarnaschelli uses OneNote Web App on her smartphone to have shopping lists at her fingertips. "If I think of a recipe I want to add to that week's menu while I'm on the subway, or I'm in the kitchen and notice we're low on ingredients, I just grab my Windows Phone and update my list," she said. You can even share your documents with family and friends, whether or not they have Microsoft Office, by saving them online using free Office Web Apps.
• Get active as a family. Combat constant indulging and stay active during the season by adding active entertainment to family holiday traditions. With Kinect for Xbox 360, you can stay active without worrying about what the weather outside holds. Play football, ski and dance away holiday baked goods while finding new activities to connect with your family, friends or inevitable houseguests.

"As a society, we're in a moment of major gadget lust and overwhelming choice. We think we have an opportunity to help people understand how they can get the most out of their technology," said David Webster, general manager, Brand & Marketing Strategy for the Corporate Marketing Group, Microsoft. "This holiday, we hope to show families that staying connected and spending time together is made easier with an array of Microsoft products including Windows-based PCs, Windows Phones, Xbox and Office."

More information on how to maximize the holidays with your family with the help of technology can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/family.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online with a random sample of 1,008 parents aged 22 to 40, all members of the Impulse Research proprietary online panel. The panel closely matches U.S. population demographics, and the respondents are representative of American parents aged 22 to 40. Research was conducted in October 2011. The overall sampling error rate for this survey is +/-3 percent at the 95 percent rate of confidence.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.