This article originally appeared in the January issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.
Smartphones have become so ingrained in our personal and professional lives that it’s hard to believe it’s only been about five years since Apple introduced the iPhone (News - Alert). Consumer enthusiasm for these devices in only expected to intensify in the next two years, according to PwC, as apps become more creative and convenient.
PwC says it expects the next two years to bring significant growth in smartphone use for basic communications, e-commerce, managing health care and videoconferencing.
“The study finds that tasks that consumers traditionally use their browser to perform – such as purchasing merchandise, managing travel or personal finances, and downloading or streaming videos – are ripe for transition to smartphones, particularly companies that offer apps and functions that make those activities more secure and convenient,” says PwC.
Today just 12 percent of smartphone owners use these devices to purchase merchandise, but that’s expected to reach 45 percent in the next two years, at least according to those surveyed.
And 16 percent of those surveyed said they expect to at least double the time they spend shopping online.
Location-based services is another area poised for smartphone use growth in the next couple years, according to the PwC report. As of right now, 69 percent of 18- to 24-year old individuals use their smartphones at least weekly to find a location or place; 21 percent use smartphones daily for this purpose.
The two-phase effort PwC conducted to capture this data included a spring 2011 survey of 3,282 smartphone owners between the ages of 18 and 59, paired with reach involving focus groups, in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of behavior related to smartphone use.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
