According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 35 percent of American adults own a smartphone. This is greater than the number of Americans who hold a bachelor’s degree.
From April 26 through May 22, 2011 Pew conducted a telephone survey of 2,277 U.S. adults. Eighty-three percent of the respondents said they owned a cellphone of some kind, while 35% said they owned a smartphone.
The survey also found smartphone ownership trends in relation to finances, age, and race. The results showed that household income does play a role in smartphone ownership, with 59% of those earning $75,000 or more owning a smartphone. Among those surveyed with a college degree or higher education, 48% had smartphones, compared to 18% with no high school diploma.
The people surveyed between the ages of 25 and 34 were most likely to own a smartphone. Race also plays a factor, as 44% of the African-Americans and Latinos surveyed said they own a smartphone, compared to only 30% of whites surveyed.
It was found that 87% of respondents use their smartphones as Internet portals, with about 78% of them doing so every day. Somewhat surprisingly, 25% of owners use their smartphone to access the internet more so than a computer.
Android was found to be the most popular smartphone, being used by 35% of adults with smartphones. The iPhone and Blackberry followed with 24% each.
While the number of smartphone owners is likely to continue growing, it is interesting to think what may happen to the sales of laptops and desktops. Bring in the tablet market and this question grows even larger. If people have two forms of internet access, one in their pocket, and one in their hand, along with an entertainment and work device, what could happen to the basic computer?