A survey recently completed by Google Canada has found that not only are more and more Canadians are using smartphones but they are also using them increasingly frequently. 56% of Canadians are now using smartphones, up sharply from 33% in early 2012. At the same time, Canadians are using their smartphones more than ever before.
80% of Canadian smartphone users will not leave home without it. Two-thirds of them use it daily and 35% would give up television before letting go of their smartphone.
“Mobile has become a core part of how people live their lives today,” said Google Canada’s head of mobile advertising Eric Morris. “The study shows people are using mobile to change all aspects of their life, whether it’s their job, travel, shopping, the way they communicate with others, and specifically trying to understand the world around them.”
Activities like social media on the smartphone are already well established. A more recent trend, but growing very quickly, is watching video. 20% of those surveyed said that they already do so daily with 75% having done it at least once. “People watch videos on the biggest screen they have available to them,” explained Morris. “Sometimes that’s your 50-inch TV at home, sometimes that’s your tablet while you’re on the couch or in bed, and sometimes that’s the smartphone while you’re on the couch or travelling or even in the office.”
Other trends identified in the survey include:
- The average smartphone user now has 30 apps on their smartphone. They have used 12 in the past month and paid for 8 of them.
- About a quarter of smartphone users have made an online purchase with their device
- About 77% have searched for a product or business on their phone
- Mobile searches influence in-store purchases about 27% of the time
Source : CBC News