----------------------------------------------

iPhone Gains Share Among Affluents, Women, Older Consumers

OCTOBER 11, 2011

Females, people making over $100,000 per year now account for nearly half of iPhone users

iPhone’s user base has changed significantly since its debut nearly five years ago. Due to tiered pricing and greater network availability, not only has iPhone adoption skyrocketed, but it has begun to move beyond the early-adopter audience.

According to comScore, for instance, the device has gained popularity among women and consumers ages 45 and older.

Two years ago iPhone users were predominantly male, accounting for 63% of the user base. Today, women are adopting the iPhone at a fast rate and now account for 48% of the user base, comScore found. According to the report, the 25-to-34 age group remains a sweet spot for iPhone, roughly one-third of the device’s user base. However, the age group has dipped slightly in number—from 33% in 2009, down to 29% in 2010.

The iPhone has gained traction among older consumers in recent years, as well. ComScore data indicates that the consumers ages 45 and older have readily adopted the device, with particular growth in the 45-to-54 age group.

In terms of income, iPhone users tend to be on the wealthier side. In fact, the audience is getting even more affluent, with the over-$100,000 group increasing from 42% of the total in July 2009 to 45% of the total in July 2011, comScore reported, despite large growth in the number of units owned by less affluent households.

According to Prosper Mobile Insights, iPhone owners, on average, earn more than Android device owners, and just slightly less than BlackBerry owners.

eMarketer estimates that, among the overall population, Google’s Android mobile operating system will surpass both BlackBerry and iPhone this year to become the top smartphone platform in the US. Yet with this month’s introduction of lower price points for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, as well as iPhone availability on Sprint's network for the first time, Apple’s smartphones will likely attract new customers, keeping the Android/iPhone rivalry fierce.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Advertiser Interest in Android Lags Market

AUGUST 4, 2011

Brands continue to focus on marketing to iPhone owners

The iPhone was a media darling from the get-go, quickly surpassing earlier smartphones like the BlackBerry in terms of marketer interest and appearing in the pockets and purses of creatives around the country. But Google’s Android operating system has since taken off, and its availability on a variety of devices by several manufacturers has helped it outpace the Apple devices this year.

Still, research shows that marketers continue to focus more on the iPhone. A Q2 2011 survey from media buying solutions provider STRATA found that nearly 87% of US ad agencies considered the iPhone of great interest to their clients as an advertising venue. That was up more than 10 percentage points from Q1. Nearly half said their clients were also interested in advertising on the iPad.

Interest in Android was smaller. Just under two-thirds of clients wanted to direct their mobile campaigns toward Android devices, although that did represent a significant increase in interest since Q1.

Figures from The Nielsen Company show that while marketer interest in Android is on the rise, it still lags behind the market significantly. Among smartphone owners, 39% had a device running Android as of May 2011. Just 27% had a device running iOS, including iPhones and iPads.

The STRATA poll found that clients were focusing most of their mobile efforts on display advertising, with 44% of agencies reporting they were creating more mobile display ads than any other type, up from 37% in Q1. SMS advertising and rich media placements rounded out the top three, with rich media edging out location-based ads and apps.

______________________________________________________________________________-

YOUR WEBSITE SHOULD BE ADAPTED FOR MOBILE PHONES >>>>>>>

CHECK OUT www.Websitetomobilewebsite.com

_______________________________________________________________________________

Consumers Take to Shopping by Smartphone

Android users willing to spend the most on mobile

Q3 2009 data from Compete lends support to the hope that 2010 is—finally—the year m-commerce will take off.

Nearly two-fifths of smartphone owners reported having bought something nonmobile over their mobile phone in the past six months, though many still report frustration with mobile site functionality.

And the top shopping-related smartphone activities are still research-based.

More than one-half of smartphone users checked out product descriptions, and many looks for reviews, coupons or better prices. About one-third even bought the item on the mobile channel after seeing it in a store.

eMarketer senior analyst Jeffrey Grau warned of this danger on the eMarketer blog

“A retailer’s best defense for maintaining customer loyalty is to develop a mobile offering that allows in-store shoppers access to customer reviews and other product information on its Website,” he advised. “By providing mobile access to their extensive online product information, they help customers feel more comfortable about making a purchase.”

Android users said they would spend the most via mobile, followed by iPhone owners.

Usage of m-commerce features among smartphone users is higher than among all mobile subscribers. Deloitte found that 15% of US mobile users purchased products via mobile at least occasionally in 2009. The researcher also found that about one-fifth of mobile users planned to use their phone for shopping activities this past holiday season.