A fifth of wireless Americans want an all-in-one device
We'd like to believe the writing's been on the wall for true, classic dumbphones for a helluva long time now, and new survey stats are suggesting that the trend is moving in that direction -- though admittedly not quite at the brisk pace we'd prefer. An NPD Group survey found that fully 20 percent of American mobile users "prefer" to use their phones for browsing and multimedia in addition to making calls, which is a pretty strong statement from a RAZR-using that was totally unaware that wireless data even existed just a couple years ago. Going forward, the big hurdle carriers face is knowledge -- or lack thereof -- with fewer than 35 percent of consumers knowing whether their current models have expandable memory, GPS, WiFi, video, or music capability. As NPD points out, the way to drive revenue in a tough economy might be to help subscribers simply realize that their phones can do more than they realize, which turns into a few extra bucks of ARPU... 'course, cool phone lineups always help, too.
Filed under: Studies
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Montusama @ Jan 7th 2009 12:04AM
I have to agree partly, people don't know what their phone is capable of, after I got Sprint, I was deciding for months (just recently) got a new phone for a contract-free on AT&T (GSM = more phones) and I know what my phone has, of course my Curve 8300, I didn't decide on months, price was an influence, it doesn't have a true gps, but I can still use GPS (thanks to 911 thing) and has EDGE. I believe the problem here is that carrier's are not pushing the manufactures to build phones, the way they wish, but to build phones more carrier minded.
for ex. The Touch Pro, in the US you can get 4 different editions of it, true the 2 of them are different for a reason, but why couldn't AT&T just use the standard GSM Pro (w/ US 3G) instead of it's own modifications.
Of course that was probably a bit off topic, I just think people in general want a more "all-in-one" device so they don't have to carry a DAP or a PMP, a phone and a camera, so the phones does all 3.
Scott @ Jan 7th 2009 8:21AM
Carriers here love customizing phones. The only logic behind the added production costs / delays and disabling of features is to try to squeeze some sort of revenue out of it. Instead the consumers end up with poor performing phones with glitches. How many of the best selling phones in the world, NOKIA, are comically not even sold by carriers here.
Why don't they stick to what they know best which is processing calls and data and let the phone manufacturers do what they do best, designing and manufacturing phones.
Cornelius @ Jan 7th 2009 11:31AM
The AT&T version of the Touch Pro (HTC Fuze) only has minor hardware changes. The only major change is the removal of the front-facing camera for video calling, which isn't supported by US carriers and can only be used for webcam by a few mobile chat clients (MSN messenger, etc). The addition of the PTT (who the hell uses this feature?!) button is actually helpful once you figured out how to remap it to something. The rom I use (NATF's v4.0 from xda-developers) already mapped it so that the short press is voice command and long press brings up camera/shutter button. The glossy black battery cover (fingerprint magnet) on the Fuze is similar to the Diamond's back, and you can order the non-glossy rubbery one online and fits right in.
Now on the software side... the stock Fuze is absolutely terrible. I didn't like the AT&T theme in TouchFlo3D, and the AT&T bloatware on the phone robs precious memory. But this is only annoying for users who are afraid to flash their device with a custom rom, and if it helps subsidize the cost of the phone, this minor inconvenience is worth it IMO.
All in all, my phone is close enough to the GSM Touch Pro- I can flash the same roms and radios, and have 99+1% of the functionality (-1 front camera, +1 side button).
Xoyuji @ Jan 7th 2009 12:24AM
Until that device breaks and there cursing thereself out for buying it.
L3 @ Jan 7th 2009 12:38AM
Interestingly enough, all wireless Americans want a fifth!
Asten @ Jan 7th 2009 12:42AM
So, uh, the more important number coming out of that is that 80% of Americans just want a damned phone...
ace587 @ Jan 7th 2009 2:09AM
its good to have all, but the battery life is jst awful on all-in-1 devices
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Jan 7th 2009 11:14AM
people are constantly asking why i need my phone to do so much stuff. they always tell me "all i need to do is make calls" or "well mine was free". i certainly realize i am in the minority among people who need their phone to do more than just make calls. i need mine to keep my calender, check email, text my friends inconspicuously, take spur of the moment pictures, access YouTube for those "did you see..." moments, keep up with the blogs i read, keep up with sports happenings, wiki random topics as the questions come into my head, take quick notes (since my short term memory is almost non-existent), and even entertain myself during boring lectures (or to download class powerpoints when we do worksheets using our notes that i didnt take lol).
basically, i dont know what i would do without my smartphone and the thought of EVER going back to a dumbphone has never crossed my mind. it is worth noting that im 21 and most of the people that tell me my phone does too much stuff are my friends moms and older coworkers. so i think it has a lot to do with the generation gap, but i still see plenty of people who are perfectly content with their dumbphones that make calls, send text, and take/send the occasional picture.
Cornelius @ Jan 7th 2009 11:55AM
I travel a lot. I'm desperately in need for an all-in-one device, but even in 2009 there's still nothing out there that does everything "well enough". I want a phone that has a decent res screen (VGA or WVGA or higher), ability to play movies in that resolution without stuttering, have enough internal or expandable storage to hold my entire digital music collection (100+ gigs) and then some, and a 3+ mp camera that can autofocus in less than a sec and still take good pics like my 4 year-old canon point and shoot.
I got the HTC Touch Pro/Fuze thinking that I could replace my iPod touch, iPod classic (160gb), EEE PC, and digital camera. I figured that with a small screen and limited storage (1 SD card), I'd have to make concessions, but otherwise I'd be happy on trips.
Guessed wrong:
-the video playback on newer HTC devices are terrible (video drivers are crap). iPod touch, while only has half the resolution, has much better video playback.
-iPod classic holds my entire music collection (as well as every episode of southpark) and still has 40 gigs remaining (and has much better interface and audio quality).
-My 4-year-old canon point and shoot compact camera takes much better pictures and video. The autofocus on the HTC takes forever, and shorts are far more blurry and noisy- it's not very usable as a camera.
-Web browsing on the phone is pretty good (Opera is one of the better mobile browsers), but if I'm stuck in a hotel without internet, I'm tethering my phone to my EEE PC and using good old Firefox.
I still haul all 4 devices (with respective extra batteries/chargers) around for trips. Someday, there'll be a device that can handle all of the tasks. But it seems I'll still have to wait a few more years...
Kumar @ Jan 7th 2009 1:03PM
The main problem with phone expectations in the US is that we must wait for carriers to bring them to us. With essentially 2 different formats (GSM and CDMA) and 3-4 different applications of it (different data setups between ATT and Tmob), you have to wait for what these carriers give you. We were still getting camera phone handouts while our friends overseas where miles ahead.
So here, you shop for a carrier/phone combo like the ATT/Fuze or Sprint/Touch Pro, but in most of Europe, Middle East, etc, you can shop for your phone, and then pick your carrier.
I think the US missed a big opportunity after 9/11 to consolidate wireless networks under the guise of 'homeland security'. Putting all companies on the same GSM setup would have meant an end to the mess we have today. Phone carriers definitely won't do this on their own, since it's the only tool they have (outside of 2 year contracts) to keep you from jumping ship now that numbers are.portable.
The end result is an underexposure to the true advancements in phone tech. We can than apple and the iPhone for changing that somewhat, upping the expectations of the masses, and hopefully prompting them to ask...why can't I just use that on another network?