More than one-third of all Americans who currently log onto the Internet from personal computers are interested in using other access devices such as WebTV, screen phones and handheld devices, according to survey data released today in San Jose by the Emerging Technologies Research Group of FIND/SVP (Nasdaq: FSVP). This is just one of many indications that Americans' current daily use of the Internet is going to drive the development of Web technologies, the study concludes.

The 1997 American Internet User Survey, FIND/SVP's premier benchmarking study, explored consumer demand for push technologies and leading edge applications such as Internet telephony, Relay Chat, Shockwave and Internet radio.

"Awareness and usage of push technology varies greatly depending upon the Web user's level of experience," said Thomas Miller, Vice President of the Emerging Technologies Research Group at FIND/SVP. Nearly 50% of users who first surfed the Web in 1995 are familiar with push applications, compared to only 33% of users who came online in 1996/97. "Experienced users are half again as likely as new users to use push applications," Miller concluded, adding that "interest in push is strong, but personalization is the real killer application that will drive use of push delivery technologies."

FIND/SVP's latest comprehensive look at Internet user behavior and attitudes included interviews with 1,000 adult users, as well as 1,000 non-users. The study noted that both segments are open to alternative platforms and WebTV is the current winner. When asked if they or other household members had an interest in accessing the Internet via the television, 48% percent of current users and 56% of non-users expressed interest in tapping into the net via their home TVs.

Even though interest drops to only 5% when users and non-users were asked if they were willing to pay for the set-top devices as well as the monthly service, the potential market is still promising. "The interest is there. It's up to manufacturers to develop and market user friendly products that appeal to consumers and to price them at acceptable levels," says Peter Clemente, Director of Continuous Advisory Services at FIND/SVP and survey co-designer.

The Emerging Technologies Research Group is a division of FIND/SVP, a worldwide research, advisory and business intelligence firm headquartered in New York City. FIND/SVP also provides integrated research and consulting through five other service groups: Quick Consulting & Research Service, Strategic Consulting and Research Group, Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Group, Research Publications Group and Knowledge Management Group. For more information about The 1997 American Internet User Survey call 800-965-4636.