Friday, 23 May 2008

Yahoo Survey Reveals New Mobile Phone Usage Patterns

Nearly 74% of U.S. consumers agree that mobile phone usage on airplanes should be restricted to only silent features according to a new Yahoo survey. The study commissioned by Yahoo! Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive clearly...

Nearly 74% of U.S. consumers agree that mobile phone usage on airplanes should be restricted to only silent features according to a new Yahoo survey.

The study commissioned by Yahoo! Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive clearly demonstrates the paradigm shift of mobile phone usage where consumers don’t just view their devices as just a means to make voice calls today but also as a computer in their pocket with a wide variety of features.

Some 60% of those surveyed said the support the ability to access mobile phone features like e-mail, text messages, instant messages (IM) and playing games while in-flight, but made clear their preference for no talking.

"There is an increasing debate about the use of mobile phones on airplanes," said Bruce Stewart, vice president and general manager, Connected Life Americas, Yahoo!.

"This new survey overwhelmingly proves the desire of consumers to stay connected to the people, information, interests and passions that are important to them while in-flight, but they don't want to be forced to listen to the conversation of the passenger sitting next to them."

The use of mobile phones is currently prohibited on planes because evidence suggests there is risk involved with it’s interference with onboard communication and navigation systems.

However, there have been recent talks on lifting this band with the emergence of new technology aims to allow passengers to make mobile calls sans any risk of interference.