Survey: Apple Technology Found in Half of All American Homes

What does it say about Apple (AAPL) that more than half of all Americans use at least one of its products? Maybe it’s not such a big deal when it comes to toothbrushes and refrigerators, but the singular dominance of such a technology brand is highly intriguing. Here’s why …

According to CNBC’s “All-America Economic survey,” which polled 836 Americans via landline and cellphone, half of all American households have at least one Apple product, with the average home having “1.6 Apple devices (and) almost one-quarter planning to buy at least one more in the next year.” Let that sink in — we, collectively, actively plan to purchase technology specifically from Apple. How many people actively plan to buy a TV from Samsung or a desktop computer from HP? Not many, because these purchases are often driven by necessity, or the result of careful research. But nearly a one-fourth of Americans have their cash in hand, just waiting to see what Apple will release next. How many companies can claim that sort of loyalty?

You’re wondering — how the heck does that loop back around to the channel? It’s simple, really: The bring-your-own-device revolution likely has just begun. Even though it seems as though mobility has reached mainstream popularity, if one-quarter of the American population is ready to buy more Apple gadgets, that means there’s likely to be more mobile saturation in businesses across America, everywhere — and, obviously, the need for mobile device management (MDM).

It also raises a few interesting questions regarding where Apple stands in infiltrating the workplace. Apple knows its products are being integrated into non-traditional workplace environments, displacing everything from PCs to BlackBerrys. CEO Tim Cook has alluded that Apple will release some amazing products before 2012 is over — but could Apple surprise the industry with a sudden strong push into the enterprise?

Apple’s JointVenture may be a slow way of testing the waters. What if Apple reinvigorated its ailing Mac Pro desktop/server line and made a strong push to play up enterprise integration? That one-fourth of Americans could suddenly become half or more. Just imagine what Apple could do if it offered something as simple as the “iOS Management Suite” with a singular Mac Pro humming away in some data center? I have no doubt VARs and IT admins everywhere would clamor for a completely native granular way to control iOS devices inside their workplace ecosystems. The bigger question is, Does Apple need to do this? No, it doesn’t. But at some point, iOS devices will reach critical mass in all environments, and I don’t believe Apple will want to leave all the MDM fun to third parties.