Recently I started using a Blackberry and I love it. I like to check my e-mail, browse when I need to, utilize GPS services, and utilize the phone as a modem. What would happen if tomorrow you couldn't use your phone at all? I've had that happen and I feel strangely out of touch with the world and that is normal according to research stating that 234 million have mobile phones in the United States and The Center For Media Research says
"According to a new survey recently announced by Ruder Finn, Americans are spending an average of 2.7 hours on the mobile Internet, connecting socially, managing their personal finances, and even as a means for advocacy. 91% of mobile phone users go online to socialize compared to only 79% of traditional desktop users. Mobile phone users are 1.6 times more likely to manage finances compared to traditional desktop users. Mobile phone users are 1.4 times more likely than traditional desktop users to rally support for a cause."
Key results from the Mobile Intent Index Survey, include:Mobile phones are a social connector, says the report. 91% of mobile users go online to socialize, compared to only 79% of traditional users. The top socialize intents are:
- Instant message (62%)
- Forward e-mails (58%), content (40%) and photos (38%)
- Post comments on social networking sites (45%)
- Connect to people on social networking sites (43%)
Mobile phone users are more likely to go online to do business compared to traditional users, and are 1.6 times more likely to manage finances. Mobile phones offer users the chance to conduct business in real time, and this is the major reason that business-related intents are so high. The top business intents are:
- Online banking - 46%
- Check bill/credit card status - 40%
- Read business blogs - 33%
Nearly half of mobile users go online to advocate compared to only 41% of traditional users. Mobile phones offer users the chance to immediately respond to breaking news, whether it is a new piece of legislation or the latest ongoing development of a corporation or politician under siege. The top advocacy intents are:
- Activate support for a cause or position - 67%
- Post opinions on social networking sites - 45%
- Forward content on a cause - 40%
Mobile users are much less likely than all users to go online to learn. Learning requires time and patience, something mobile phone users are in short supply of.
- They are 1.5 times less likely than the traditional user to go online to educate themselves
- They are 1.4 times less likely than the traditional user to go online to research
- They are more likely than the traditional user to go online to keep informed
Mobile users are 1.3 times less likely to personally express themselves online compared to traditional users. The transitory nature of their intents speaks against spending the time to engage in discussions about personal issues while using their mobile phones.
- They are 1.7 times less likely than the traditional user to go online to opine
- They are 1.8 times less likely than the traditional user to go online to be creative
Additionally, gender and age influence the Intent of mobile phone users according to the study:
- Men (79%) are much more likely than women (61%) to use their mobile phone to simply "escape"
- Many more women (70%) than men (58%) go online using their mobile devices to entertain others
- Youth (44%) are more likely to shop over their mobile phones than the average mobile user (35%)
- Seniors (82%) are much more likely than the traditional user (64%) to use their mobile phones to educate themselves