Back to the point, what do people do with smartphones? In two studies conducted by Google and Ipsos OTX MediaCT smartphones users were asked a number of questions revealing how, where and when these devices are used covering the US and several other companies. First, smartphones are in use just about everywhere. I first decided to research this topic when as I waited in my dentist appointment last week, I noticed that everyone (4 people) in the waiting room was using their smartphone. No one read the magazines, no one had a newspaper and I was the only one not absorbed with events outside of the room. Since that time (Wednesday of last week) I have paid much closer attention to how and where people use their smartphones. In the latest report, Our Mobile Planet, 98% of US smartphone users engage their device every day with home and work the most likely places. However, 83% use the devices while walking (a bit dangerous), 76% in a store and 70% in restaurants (annoying).
Why are we using these devices? 82% are surfing the web with 79% interacting with social media, I suspect that the 54% that do this every day have a serious Facebook habit and need a fix.
For the record there are more male users than women, 51% to 49% and as the price of smartphones decreases, the age of users is dropping. In 2010 the largest demographic were users in their thirties, 2011 sees a balance with 25% of 18-24 year olds and 24% of 25-34 adults using smartphones.
Amongst college students text messaging is number 1 with 81% texting often. Reading email is a close second at 77%.
Surprisingly, 20% of users claim a daily purchase with their smartphone. This is very curious as I suspect the purchase may be something that is sought every day such as a cup of coffee or a something low in price such as a song or app.
Not surprising we still have the 20% who foolishly use their smartphone while driving (I hope for conversation or navigation) and the always questionable 40% while using the bathroom.
Finally, smartphones have expanded the world of virtual churches and religion with a recent fatwa (March 29) stating that people may read the Quran on a smartphone.
So, how do you wireless?
See you on Monday.
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