US Mobile Web Use Grows

It is no mere hearsay or calculation but a real figure in statistics that indeed the use in mobile web is definitely growing in the U.S.  On the whole, internet access done wirelessly by adults in the U.S. is up from 51% in April 2009.  This ultimately means that in 10 U.S. adults, there are six who make use of wireless internet via phone or laptop. 

Non-voice data applications on mobile phones have grown over the last year.  Most people in the U.S. find convenience and practicality in the use of mobile web thus the popularity.  This practically keeps them socially tied and aware.  There is less strain in keeping up with their daily need to communicate and transact. 

Looking closely into the fractions of people using mobile web in the U.S. it has been found that African-Americans and Latinos are in the lead over whites.  The most active users being African-Americans and English-speaking Latinos have been found to hold a higher cell-phone ownership.  They are taking advantage of their phone’s features by a far greater range.  When it comes to the use of mobile web, it can be broken down to a 47% of adults going online with a laptop with the use of Wi-Fi or mobile broadband.  Another 40% use the internet, email and instant messaging on their mobile phones.

A study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project revealed that the use of non-voice data applications on people’s mobile phones have risen quite significantly over the last year.  This is sufficient proof to say that people in the U.S. are fast becoming more drawn into what the mobile phones and mobile internet can offer more.  In comparison to last year, mobile phone users’ use of activities such as taking pictures, sending and receiving text messages, accessing the web, playing games and recording or playing video and music actually rose by 7% to as much as 15%.  The one that got the biggest leap with an increase of up to 34% from the 19% was the video recording.

It is understandable that there could be threats posed by the web, email or IM applications however majority of the subjects polled by the Pew Internet & American Life Project believe that there is and can be more social good than harm with regards to the issue of mobile web use.  Therefore it may be expected that the numbers will still increase over the next years.