Americans mobile Web use is growing at a snail pace
According to today’s Miami Herald, when accessing the web using mobile devices, Americans are far behind their counterparts in places like Japan, South Korea and parts of Europe. Jeffrey Cole, director of the Center for Digital Future at the University of Southeastern California told the Associated Press, “We are a third-world country where mobile is concerned. The rest of the world is using mobile phones underground, to pay for a parking space blocks away, to buy a Coke from a vending machine. We in America are still having trouble getting our phones to (make calls)."
Don’t get discouraged however. This is slowing changing. In the latest survey done by the CDF last year, they found that 25 percent of U.S. Internet users went online using their cell phones. This number has risen from 16 percent in 2008 and a shocking 5 percent in 2002.
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when society relied only the newspaper, television, radio, computer, library and other resources for finding information. Now, it’s only a few finger taps away.
Cole says the mobile phone is the single most valuable device in people’s lives. “Its becoming a device you use for virtually everything,” he adds. Another study reported by the AP from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, that 40 percent of U.S. adults used a mobile device to surf the web, send email or instant message. These figures were reportedly up from 32 percent in 2009.
While most of us may not utilize the Internet on our devices, taking photos, playing games and listening to music are growing as well. The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that:
-In 2009, time spent online averaged 19 hours a week, up from 9.4 hours in 2000.
- More people are online than ever. In 2009, 82 percent of Americans said they use the Internet, up from 67 in 2000.
- 18 percent of Internet users said they stopped subscribing to the print edition of a magazine or newspaper because they can get the same content online.
Texting of course is the most popular use by young people. With the average 18 year old sending 81 text messages a day. It’s important for any business to have an Internet presence but also be available for shoppers to access your site via their cell phone. Level 9 Digital can assist in setting these features up for your business or service.
For more information on all of our services, please contact:
Level 9 Digital at http://www.level9digital.com/contact/.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/07/1719531/study-us-mobile-web-use-growing.html#ixzz0t1czClX0