Posts Tagged ‘mobile device’
USA: more than half the population have accessed the Internet from a mobile device, including a laptop
July 23rd, 2009 | 
Author: The report also finds rising levels of Americans using the internet on a mobile handset. One-third of Americans (32%) have used a cell phone or Smartphone to access the internet for emailing, instant-messaging, or information-seeking. This level of mobile internet is up by one-third since December 2007, when 24% of Americans had ever used the internet on a mobile device. On the typical day, nearly one-fifth (19%) of Americans use the internet on a mobile device, up substantially from the 11% level recorded in December 2007. That’s a growth of 73% in the 16 month interval between surveys.
“Mobile access strengthens the three pillars of online engagement: connecting with others, satisfying information queries, and sharing content with others,” said John B. Horrigan, Associate Director of the Pew Internet Project and principal author of the report. “With access in their pockets, many Americans are ‘on the fly’ consumers and producers of digital information.”
The report, entitled “Wireless Internet Use,” also found that African Americans are the most active users of the mobile internet. Nearly half (48%) of African Americans have at one time used the internet on a mobile device, and on the average day 29% go online with a handheld – both figures are half again the national average. Moreover, the growth in mobile handheld online use on the average day since 2007 for African Americans is twice the national average – 141% for African Americans versus the 73% average.
“The notion of a digital divide for African Americans has some resonance when thinking about the wireline internet,” said Horrigan. “But when you introduce the mobile internet, the picture changes and African Americans are the pace setters.”
The report also found a growth in a broader measure of mobile engagement, as more Americans in 2009 were turning to their handheld for non-voice data activities. The activities probed were: sending or receiving text messages, taking a picture, playing a game, checking email, accessing the internet, recording video, instant messaging, playing music, getting maps or directions, or watching video.
In 2009, 69% of all adult Americans said they had ever done at least one of the ten activities versus 58% who did this in late 2007.
In 2009, 44% of all adult Americans said they had done at least one of the non-voice data activities on the typical day, up from 32% in 2007.
When asked to assess what mobile access means when they are away from home or work, about half of wireless users cite staying in touch with others or being able to dig for information on the go. However, some say such access lets them share content with others as they go about their daily lives. Specifically, among cell phone or wireless laptop users:
Half (50%) say it is very important to them to have mobile access in order to stay in touch with other people.
Nearly the same share (46%) says they mobile access is very important for getting online information on the go.
One in six (17%) say mobile access is very important to them so they can share or post online content while away from home or work.
Wireless internet access using other devices, though much less common than with laptops or handhelds, has a foothold among some Americans. The April 2009 survey found that:
45% of adults have iPods or MP3 players and 5% of all adults have used such a device to go online.
41% of adults have game consoles and 9% of adults have used it to access the internet.
14% of adults have a personal digital assistant, and 7% of adults have used it for online access.
2% of adults have an e-book (i.e., a Kindle or Sony reader) and 1% of adults have used it to get online.
Overall, 17% of adults have used at least one of the four access means listed above to go online.
The Pew Internet Project’s April 2009 survey interviewed 2,253 Americans, with 561 interviewed on their cell phones. The overall sample has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points. Some 1,687 respondents in the sample were internet users and the margin of error in that cohort is plus or minus three percentage points and 1,818 respondents were cell phone users and the margin of error for that group is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Posted in Communications | 
Tags: amp, blog, blogs, cell phone, Computer, consumers, email, game, information, Internet, internet access, laptops, maps, Mobile, mobile device, mobile internet, Network, ngage, online, research, smartphone, sony, t mobile, Wireless | 
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Mobile: Half Americans would be lost without their cellphones, more than leading European countries
This suggests that Americans are more reliant on their mobile devices than users in France, Germany, and the U.K., where cell phones were described as essential by less than a third of respondents.
Despite the high reliance on mobile devices, however, a significant percentage of users in all four countries say that they rarely make outgoing calls on their cell phones. In the U.S., 13% of wireless subscribers “never” make outgoing calls, while another 18% make less than three calls a week.
This suggests that there is a notable divide (particularly in the U.S.) between high-volume wireless users who have become reliant on mobile devices, and moderate users who still use landlines for the majority of their telecommunications needs.
49% of Americans would be “Lost” Without Cell Phones, Survey Suggests
Posted in Communications |
Tags: blog, blogs, cell phone, Communications, Mobile, mobile device, mobile devices, mobile phone, mobile phones, research, Wireless |
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Mobile banking: Despite 59% of global consumers stating that online banking on their mobile phone is important to them they are not willing to pay for
In order to understand the future for the mobile banking market KPMG surveyed over 4,000 consumers in 19 countries world wide.
The resulting survey presents some startling regional differences and delivers a clear picture to banks of consumers’ future expectations.
There is however, a huge potential for banks to grow their market with mobile phone users, as globally 53% of consumers say they are comfortable with the idea of using a mobile phone for financial transactions and 54% state that they are ‘at least somewhat likely’ to conduct banking through a mobile device in the next 12 months.
Only 19% of global consumers are currently conducting banking through a mobile device. This means that banks are missing out on the massive majority, some 81%, that have yet to be persuaded that mobile banking is a service that is not only available and worth using, but importantly is worth paying for as well.
Among those respondents who had not conducted banking through their mobile device, 44% cited security and privacy as the primary reason.
Tareq Al Sadhan, KPMG in Saudi Arabia’s Managing Partner comments, “Partly fuelled by the arrival of smart phones, consumers worldwide are showing strong demand for bundled services and mobile banking is part of this equation.
The next challenge will be to allay consumers’ concerns over privacy and security in order for mobile banking to succeed and be financially viable and profitable for banks in the future.”
KPMG’s Consumer and Convergence III survey’s findings suggest solutions may be found in addressing consumers’ concerns over security and privacy and that if banks can win over consumer confidence in this area they stand to win the mobile banking customer of the future.
“The findings of KPMG’s survey outline the dilemma for banks,” continued Al Sadhan. “Consumers want the immediacy of secure banking on their mobile devices but they do not want to pay for the privilege. So, while early entrants to this space will likely build strong customer share, it is unlikely that the revenue from the service will cover the costs. Nevertheless, banks should plan on providing a mobile banking service to with the aim of avoiding the erosion of market share to competitors with this offering.”
Indeed, strong security or privacy protection was the most important factor for 32% of respondents globally who bank at least once weekly online, with ease of use being the second most important factor at 20%.
The survey does reveal some good news for banks, as 6% of respondents globally say they are willing to pay to access online banking services from their mobile phone and 17% of respondents state they are willing to pay a limited amount.
Obviously if banks can address the key consumer issues highlighted in the survey’s findings then they could see that percentage rise.
Regionally there are some significant differences. KPMG’s survey reveals Asia to be the region that is the most comfortable with mobile banking with 23% using the service.
Potentially then, Asia is the region where banks can look to grow their mobile banking services fastest, make quick wins and gain new customers.
North America shows the most resistance to mobile banking with 66% of respondents ‘not at all comfortable’ with using a mobile phone for financial transactions. In Asia only 36% are ‘not at all comfortable’.
In the Middle East/Africa region, 67% of Saudis said they were ‘very or somewhat comfortable’ with using a mobile phone for financial transactions but only 39% of South Africans said the same.
These differences show the need for banks to look at different cultural needs and expectations when they are positioning their services in different market places and the possibility of having to customize their service offerings to suit different national consumers cannot be ruled out.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, 75% of the over 65 age group is ‘not at all comfortable’ using a mobile phone for financial transactions.
This age group will be one of the hardest to persuade to change their traditional banking methods as this is the age group, together with the 55-64 age group, that are the most concerned with privacy and security at 51 percent each.
More surprisingly only a slight majority, 51% of respondents globally, report that their current bank offers banking through mobile devices.
This says more about consumers’ perception of the service offering than the reality. But banks will need to work hard to improve customer awareness of the availability of mobile banking, and to persuade customers of the benefits, if they are to hope to persuade them to pay for the services in the future.
With regards to payments, 86% of respondents said they never made a purchase from a vending machine using their mobile phone and 90% said they never made a purchase using a mobile phone through a retailer’s mobile site, further suggesting an unfamiliarity or lack of comfort in using a mobile phone for transactions and payments.
This is definitely a growth area for banks with huge potential. However cost, security, privacy and many other issues analyzed by KPMG should be addressed before the market can begin to mature. KPMG’s survey provides insight into the issues and highlights the opportunities for banks moving into, and developing
Consumers say mobile banking is important, but they are not prepared to pay for it
Posted in Communications |
Tags: amp, Audi, Banking, blog, blogs, business, Business Intelligence, consumers, Mac, market share, Mobile, mobile device, mobile devices, mobile phone, mobile phone users, online, rim, Space, t mobile, world |
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Get Ready; Windows Marketplace for Mobile Offers Millions of Potential New Customers
My name is Todd Brix and I am the Senior Director for Mobile Platform Services Product Management at Microsoft. I am on site at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans to talk about Windows Marketplace for Mobile and the terrific opportunity it represents for developers and partners. Given the enthusiasm we’ve seen around Windows Marketplace since we announced it earlier this year, I’m excited to have this opportunity to provide an update and hopefully address some of the feedback we’ve received.In terms of milestones, I’m pleased to report that Windows Marketplace is on schedule to open for submissions in 29 supported countries* on July 27th. We’re already working with a wide range of leading developers for both business and consumer applications and will soon be able to make available a new wave of applications that will be ready for download when Windows Marketplace launches with Windows Mobile 6.5 in the fall. To make things a little more interesting, later this month we’ll also be announcing the details of a developer contest that will kick off at launch.
We’re working hard to create a new experience for mobile users and developers alike; where users can easily discover and confidently purchase and download applications for work, life or play and developers feel good about the submission process and are able to reach a new market for their mobile applications. In fact, we’re announcing today that by the end of 2009 Windows Marketplace will also be available to Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 devices. This means that developers will have an opportunity to reach more than 30 million Windows Mobile devices. To help those millions of business users find what they’re looking for, we’re also unveiling the Windows Marketplace Business Center; a category in Windows Marketplace that will contain mobile business applications across several common industries and line of business functions from leading companies that include Avanade UK, Formotus, Ilium Software, Pyxis Mobile and WebIS. Business Center is another way for our partners to differentiate themselves and showcase their business applications, while making it easier for users to locate and purchase the latest mobile business tools.
(sample view of Windows Marketplace Business Center, subject to change.)
To recap the Windows Marketplace for Mobile announcements at Worldwide Partner Conference:
Application Submission Opens on July 27th: Windows Marketplace will open for application submissions from 29 supported countries July 27.
Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 Support: Windows Marketplace will be available for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 by the end of 2009 (in addition to Windows Mobile 6.5 at launch in the fall).
Business Center: Windows Marketplace will feature a “Business Center” category for business applications.
Developer Contest: Microsoft will be disclosing the details of a Windows Marketplace developer contest on July 27.
I’ll be on site at the Worldwide Partner Conference today talking to partners and presenting our Windows Marketplace strategy and even offering a brief demonstration on the main stage on Wednesday morning. Throughout the event, I’ll be gathering feedback and doing my best to drive registration and application submissions for July 27th. My team and I are eager to get your feedback and will do our best to address your comments and questions in the days and weeks ahead.
You can also view my video post here on Channel 9.
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Posted in Windows Mobile |
Tags: amp, application, brazil, business, business applications, developers, line of business, Management, microsoft, Mobile, mobile application, mobile applications, mobile device, mobile devices, mobile platform, mobile users, pda, Software, t mobile, Windows, Windows Mobile, world |
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Security: 70% of UK organisations have been hit by at least one data breach incident within the last year
The public sector experienced the highest number of data loss incidents in the last year; reporting an average of 4.48 breaches per organisation. Financial services firms were the next most likely to suffer data loss (an average of 3.11 incidents per year); followed by the education sector (2.74), healthcare and pharmaceutical firms (2.65) and the professional services industry (2.52). Faring better were the entertainment, media and defence sectors, none of which reported any data breaches.
Those organisations experiencing the highest number of data loss incidents were the least likely to have introduced a consistently enforced, company-wide strategy governing the use of data encryption technologies. Of the firms reporting more than five loss incidents, none had any kind of encryption strategy in place. In contrast, one third of those companies reporting no data loss incident had instigated an enterprise-wide encryption policy, with a further 36% having introduced a partial strategy to protect certain applications, departmental activities or data types (e.g. credit card numbers).
In response to some high profile cases of lost and stolen laptops, together with the increased business use of smartphones, this year’s study also assessed organisational approaches to encrypting data held on mobile devices. While 51% responded that this was ‘very important’ or ‘important’, 34% of firms believe it is only sometimes necessary to encrypt the confidential data held on portable devices; 13% considered it completely unimportant.
“While the number of breaches is growing, there is increasing appetite for solutions that can alleviate the costly and time consuming task of managing encryption keys across the whole of the organisation,” said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of The Ponemon Institute. “On the whole, UK businesses are looking closely at platform-based encryption solutions – with built in key management capabilities – rather than point solutions supplied by multiple vendors. This doesn’t just make sense from a management or cost point of view. This study clearly illustrates that a unified approach reduces the risk of data loss.”
Despite the rising number of data breaches, UK organisations are aware of the consequences of such incidents, with 61% of respondents stating that data protection played an ‘important’ or ‘very important’ role in an organisation’s overall risk management efforts. 46% felt encryption helped them meet privacy commitments and almost the same number (45%) believed encryption was a critical factor in protecting a company’s reputation. Of the regulations currently impacting firms’ approaches to data encryption, the EU Privacy Directive was considered the most influential, followed by Payment Card Industry (PCI DSS) requirements and then the UK Data Protection Directive. Only 10% singled out the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as the most influential regulator impacting data encryption.
“It’s clear that UK organisations recognise the need to protect customer information and other valuable data assets, but while their intentions may be good, not all of them are doing everything it takes to make this a reality,” said Phillip Dunkelberger, president and CEO of PGP Corporation. “This study underlines the critical importance of implementing an encryption strategy that encompasses all aspects of an organisation’s data, not to just meet privacy or data security regulations but to also protect against brand damage and loss of customer.”
The study found that 57% of UK businesses are using some type of encryption solution in order to protect sensitive information, with the remaining 43% all currently planning to implement encryption technologies. Encryption is most widely used to protect the data held on file servers, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and databases. VOIP and mainframe encryption are the least deployed applications.
Slightly more organisations (14%) are now using a single platform to deploy and manage encryption across multiple applications than in the previous twelve months (13%). Nearly all of those adopting this approach (90%) reported it enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of their IT security procedures, while all platform users confirmed this approach improved the management of encryption keys. Key management is a major focus for UK businesses, accounting for 34% of all current spending on encryption. This expenditure is largely expected to deliver a return on investment, with 59% of respondents confident it will reduce the operational costs associated with data protection. A third of organisations are currently exploring the use of a single key management solution to cover their entire operations.
Recent research, also conducted by the Ponemon Institute, found that the average UK data breach costs a total of 1.7 million pounds Sterling; the equivalent of 60 pounds Sterling for every record compromised.
70% of UK Organisations Hit By One or More Data Breach Incidents Within Last Twelve Months
see also Encryption Reports
Posted in Communications |
Tags: amp, application, blog, blogs, business, car, Health, information, laptops, Mac, Management, management efforts, management solution, Mobile, mobile device, mobile devices, Network, reporting, research, smartphone, vpn |
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