Mobile Lifestyle Survey

Top Trends in Mobile Communications

 

According to a new AP-AOL-Pew Research Center mobile lifestyle survey, U.S. cell phone users find themselves increasingly addicted to using their cell phones. In fact, 29 percent say they could not live without their cell phone.

Meanwhile, users also say they are also growing more savvy and confident in using the services and features on their phones, including mobile messaging, mapping, search and more. In 2006, the must-have feature is mobile mapping and directions, with nearly half of adults surveyed saying they would like to have these features at their fingertips.

Topline Survey Findings

Text Me: Thirty-five percent of those surveyed say they send SMS text messages to friends, family and business colleagues, including 65 percent of those ages 18-29 and 37 percent of those ages 30-49. At the same time, 18 percent say they have used or would like to use a mobile instant messaging service on their cell phone.

Forward Me: Twenty-one percent of mobile users say they would like to have all instant messages (IMs) forwarded from their PC desktop to their cell phones. Meanwhile, 38 percent say they would like to have desktop IMs from select contacts that they choose automatically forwarded to their mobile device, including 50 percent of those ages 18-29.

Email Me: Eight percent of cell phone users currently access their email from their cell phones. At the same time, 24 percent of those who do not check their email from their phones say they would like to be able to do so.

Find Me: When asked about using their cell phone to search for movie listings, weather, stock quotes and more, seven percent say they do this already. One-quarter (24 percent) say they would like to be able to do this on their phone. Meanwhile, 30 percent of those surveyed say they want to browse the Web from their cell phone.

Smile for Me: Twenty-eight percent of mobile users say they use their cell phones to take photos, while another 19 percent say they would like to have a camera on their phone. Meanwhile, six percent have recorded video clips with their cell phone, and another 17 percent would like this feature on their next phone.

I Gotta Have It: The new mobile lifestyle survey also revealed that mobile phone users consider mobile mapping, email, search, instant messaging and video to be must-haves in the next phone they purchase.

In addition to talking, here are the things that respondents say they either do now or would like to do on their next mobile phone.

Use mobile maps: 51 percent

Send text messages: 48 percent

Take pictures: 47 percent

Play games: 34 percent

Send mobile email: 32 percent

Use mobile search: 31 percent

Browse the Internet: 30 percent

Play music: 25 percent

Record video: 23 percent

Have desktop instant messages (IMs) sent to their phone: 21 percent

Send mobile instant messages: 18 percent

Watch video or TV shows: 16 percent

As for their interest in new and upcoming features:

38 percent say they would like to have desktop IMs from contacts they choose automatically forwarded to their mobile device, including 50 percent of those ages 18-29

21 percent say they would like all desktop IMs automatically forwarded to their cell phone

When it comes to mobile users and their cell phones, survey respondents say:

Their cell phone has helped them in an emergency: 74 percent

They place calls as a way to fill time when traveling or waiting for someone: 41 percent

They make most of their calls at times when the minutes are free: 44 percent

Addicted to mobility? Americans are exceedingly passionate about their cell phones. So passionate that…

52 percent keep their cell phone turned on all the time and 24 percent keep their phone charged most of the time

29 percent say they make more calls with their cell phone than with their home phone. Among this group, 76 percent make a lot more calls with their cell phone.

15 percent of adults surveyed say they aren’t quite ready to cut the cord, but are somewhat likely to get rid of their landline. Eight percent say they are very likely to ditch their landline in favor of a cell phone-only existence.

40 percent of those ages 18-29 say they are likely to get rid of their landline. In fact, 49 percent in this age group say they make more calls with their cell phone than with their landline.

The downside of being mobile:

36 percent have been shocked by the size of their monthly cell phone bill

28 percent have driven less safely when talking on their cell phone

24 percent feel they need to answer their phone even if it interrupts a meeting or meal

23 percent say too many people call them on their cell phone

22 percent have been untruthful about their whereabouts when on a cell phone

The survey also revealed a real need for a guide to cell phone etiquette. Today, three in four U.S. adults have a cell phone, yet talking loudly and behaving in an annoying manner while on the phone is all too common.

50 percent of cell phone users who say they frequently encounter people talking very loudly in public on their phone

 Source: http://mobile1.aol.com/survey

RSS feed for comments on this post · TrackBack URL

Leave a Comment