Consumers Want Smarter, Faster Phones According to Infogroup's ORC Division
E-mail, Internet Access and Digital Camera Top the List of Most Desired Features
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PRINCETON, N.J., Jan 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Long gone are the days when the average mobile phone user was content with a built-in camera alone. According to a new study from ORC, an Infogroup company (NASDAQ: IUSA) one-fifth of Americans now own a multi-function smartphone. Of the 29% of Americans who currently own the device or have plans to purchase one in the coming year, the top three "must have features" were cited as follows: e-mail (85%), Internet browser (78%) and digital camera (73%). GPS appears to be a differentiator that might bring additional consumers to the smartphone market, with 73% of smartphone intenders listing this as a "must have" (compared to only 55% of early adopters).
In addition to specific features of the phone itself, seven in ten (72%) respondents are looking for a fast 3G or 4G network. Awareness of the latest 4G network is still building among those not already using a smartphone (41%), and among smartphone users who would already be equipped to take advantage of the increased bandwidth, awareness is nearly doubled at 81%.
"While having a smartphone with lots of features is certainly an important selling point for mobile operators to promote, they must also recognize user's need for speed," said Manuel Flores, Vice President and Director of ORC's Technology Market Insights Practice. "With Verizon and AT&T loudly fighting about the scope, quality and speed of their 3G networks, Sprint, and its partner Clearwire, has apparently been listening to their consumers and has somewhat quietly begun to deploy its faster 4G network."
To date, the US smartphone market is dominated by the messages of two key players (Blackberry, 32% and Apple, 21%) and a disparate set of market share seekers (a combined total of 42%) which includes Palm (6%), LG (5%), Samsung (4%), HTC (4%), Motorola (3%), and Nokia (3%).
"A reasonably comprehensive range of features and functionality will continue to drive buying habits of current and future smart phone owners," Flores said. "With Blackberry and Apple prevailing as the dominant players in the smartphone market by a significant margin, those device manufacturers who are a little further down on the food chain should strive to keep on top of changing consumer preferences and aim to exceed those expectations in order to stay competitive."
About ORC
ORC, an Infogroup company, is a leading global market research firm with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific region. ORC offers the unique ability to integrate primary and secondary research, competitive intelligence and expert insight to address the business challenges of its clients worldwide. The company has been a partner of CNN on the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll since 2006. To learn more about ORC, visit www.opinionresearch.com.
About Infogroup
Infogroup (NASDAQ: IUSA) is the leading provider of data and interactive resources that enables targeted sales, effective marketing and insightful research solutions. Our information powers innovative tools and insight for businesses to efficiently reach current and future customers through multiple channels, including the world's most dominant and powerful Internet search engines and GPS navigation systems. Infogroup's headquarters are located at 5711 South 86th Circle, Omaha, NE 68127. For more information, call (402) 593-4500 or visit www.infogroup.com.
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, recent changes in senior management, the successful integration of recent and future acquisitions, fluctuations in operating results, failure to successfully carry out our Internet strategy or to grow our Internet revenue, effects of leverage, changes in technology and increased competition. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: ORC
Infogroup Contact:
Kelly Loontjer, 402-596-7574
Director External Communications
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or
ORC Contact:
Carolyn Werbler, 609-452-5258
Director of Marketing
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