Smartphones the indispensable thing

2012-05-07 22:32

Washington - More Americans can't live without their smartphones any more.

A study released on Monday shows people using their mobile devices increasingly to settle a dispute, co-ordinate a meeting, find a restaurant or get emergency information.

The Pew Internet & American Life Project said 70% of all cellphone owners and 86% of smartphone owners have used their phones for one of seven key activities, which include solving an unexpected problem, getting directions or learning the score of a sporting event.

"Overall, these 'just-in-time' cell users, defined as anyone who has done one or more of the above activities using their phone in the preceding 30 days, amount to 62% of the entire adult population."

The younger users are even more reliant on their mobile devices: 88% of those ages 18-29 had performed one or more of these activities in the past 30 days, compared with 76% of the 30-49 age group, 57 of those ages 50-64, and 46% of the owners age 65 and older.

Some 31% of men use their phones to look up information that settles an argument or disagreement, compared with 22% of women, the study found.

And around 65% of smartphone owners say they have used their phone to get turn-by-turn navigation or directions while driving, with 15% doing so on a typical day.

The survey conducted between March 15 and 3 April 2012 among 2 254 adults found that 88% were cellphone owners and 46% had smartphones.

- AFP