Earlier this week comScore, a data measuring and marketing company located in Reston, VA, released a report which further documents the continuing explosion of data access via mobile devices. From January 2008 – January 2009, mobile data usage more than doubled as did the frequency of using mobile devices to access content. As of January 2009 there were 63 million users (I’m assuming in the United States as it’s not clear in the report) accessing mobile data at least once per month, up 71% from January 2008. Here are some key findings from the report:
- Social networking, (blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are driving daily usage of mobile access.
- Phones such as the iPhone, Samsung Instinct, LG Dare, and Blackberries are the preferred weapons of choice for mobile data consumers (70%).
- Maps are the most frequently downloaded tools for smartphones, while news drove SMS data for less sophisticated devices.
- Half of 18 – 34 year old males were likely to be mobile data consumers while 40% of females 18 – 24 years old accessed mobile data at least once per month.
Many of us here at UR frequently witness this behavior due to the number of students we interact with. It’s obvious that more capable devices lend themselves to mobile data access as it often seems that they’re internet devices first, and phones second. However there are numerous examples of using SMS to accomplish some of the same things smartphones do with full-featured applications. For starters just take a look at what Google offers via SMS. I think we all know that mobile data is the future and will probably surpass the computer (desktop/laptop) as the normal means of access for certain types of data, especially as all phones evolve into “smartphones.”
If you’re interested in learning more, please read the full update from comScore.
Bonus Tip!
Do you wish you could have a “re-do” for your senior yearbook photo? Want to relive those groovy 70s? Then sign-up for the relaunch of Yearbook Yourself. See how you might have looked in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s! They will be re-opening the site this summer, so if you missed it last year be sure to get your name on the mailing list!