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11pc of mobile users have made a mobile purchase: Pew Internet survey

Mobile data applications have grown more popular over the last year and 11 percent of all mobile users have made a purchase on their phone, according to the latest Pew Internet survey.

Mobile phone ownership has remained stable over the last year, but users are taking advantage of a much wider range of their phones? capabilities compared with a similar point in 2009, according to the study. Of the eight mobile data applications Pew asked about in both 2009 and 2010, all showed statistically significant year-to-year growth.

"Mobile phone and wireless laptop Internet use have each grown more prevalent over the last year," said Aaron Smith, research specialist at the Pew Research Center, Washington, in the report. "Nearly half of all adults?47 percent?go online with a laptop using a WiFi connection or mobile broadband card, up from the 39 percent who did so as of April 2009, while 40 percent of adults use the Internet, email or instant messaging on a mobile phone, up from the 32 percent of Americans who did this in 2009.

"This means that 59 percent of adults now access the Internet wirelessly using a laptop or mobile phone phone?that is, they answered 'yes' to at least one of these wireless access pathways," he said. "That adds up to an increase from the 51 percent who used a laptop or mobile phone wirelessly in April 2009.

"Six in ten adult Americans are now wireless Internet users."

The Pew Internet report is based on the findings of a daily tracking survey on Americans? use of the Internet.

The results in this report are based on data from telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International between April 29 and May 30, among a sample of 2,252 adults, age 18 and older.

Mobile Internet usage exploding
The use of non-voice data applications on mobile phones has grown dramatically over the last year.

Compared with a similar point in 2009, mobile phone owners are now more likely to use their mobile phones to:

? Take pictures?76 percent now do this, up from 66 percent in April 2009

? Send or receive text messages?72 percent versus 65 percent

? Access the internet?38 percent versus 25 percent

? Play games?34 percent versus 27 percent

? Send or receive email?34 percent versus 25 percent

? Record a video?34 percent versus 19 percent

? Play music?33 percent versus 21 percent

? Send or receive instant messages?30 percent versus 20 percent

In addition, among all mobile phone owners surveyed:

? 54 percent have used their mobile device to send someone a photo or video

? 23 percent have accessed a social networking site using their phone

? 20 percent have used their phone to watch a video

? 15 percent have posted a photo or video online

? 11 percent have purchased a product using their phone

? 11 percent have made a charitable donation by text message

? 10 percent have used their mobile phone to access a status update service such as Twitter

Demographics breakdown
African-Americans and English-speaking Latinos continue to be among the most active users of the mobile Web.

Mobile phone ownership is higher among African-Americans and Latinos?87 percent?than among whites?80 percent?and minority mobile phone owners take advantage of a much greater range of their phones? features compared with white mobile phone users.

In total, 64 percent of African-Americans access the Internet from a laptop or mobile phone, a seven-point increase from the 57 percent who did so at a similar point in 2009.

Young adults ages 18-29 are also avid users of mobile data applications,

Among 18-29 year old mobile phone owners:

? 95 percent send or receive text messages

? 93 percent use their phone to take pictures

? 81 percent send photos or videos to others

? 65 percent access the Internet on their mobile device

? 64 percent play music on their phones

? 60 percent use their phones to play games or record a video

? 52 percent have used their phone to send or receive email

? 48 percent have accessed a social networking site on their phone

? 46 percent use instant messaging on their mobile device

? 40 percent have watched a video on their phone

? 33 percent have posted a photo or video online from their phone

? 21 percent have used a status update service such as Twitter from their phone

? 20 percent have purchased something using their mobile phone

? 19 percent have made a charitable donation by text message

However, older adults are gaining fast on young adults.

Compared with 2009, mobile phone owners ages 30-49 are significantly more likely to use their mobile device to send text messages, access the Internet, take pictures, record videos, use email or instant messaging and play music.

"The mobile data applications with the largest year-to-year increases among the 30-49 year old cohort include taking pictures?83 percent of mobile owners ages 30-49 now do this, a 12-point increase from 2009; recording videos?39 percent do this, an 18-point increase from 2009; playing music?36 percent do this, a 15-point increase; using instant messaging?35 percent now do this, a 14-point increase; and accessing the Internet?43 percent now do this, a 12-point increase compared with 2009," Mr. Smith said.

Mobile revolution
Increased data comsumption is good news for mobile marketers.

"The study provides fresh evidence the next phase of the mobile revolution?the data phase?is truly upon us," said Rich LaPerch, CEO of Aegis Mobile, Columbia, MD. "Therefore, businesses must start providing a mobile Web experience?and not just a platform-dependent mobile application.

"Otherwise, they face falling behind, way behind, to competitors who do provide a mobile Web experience," he said.

"With access to the mobile internet growing at such a rapid clip, it?s now more important than ever to provide a seamless experience between your Web site and your mobile Web site."