Google's Think Insights has a great video out about understanding smartphone user behavior. Did you know that 39% of us use our smartphone while in the bathroom? Does this mean smartphones are the new magazines? Also, about 1 out of 3 smartphone users say they'd give up chocolate before giving up their phone. Other things we'd give up before our phones include beer, high heels (that's an easy one!), Super Bowl tickets and Cable TV. You can see the complete report here and check out the video below for the highlights.
QR Codes–Are people using them? Do I need one?
QR codes (quick response codes) are everywhere these days--on products, on real estate listings, even on buildings. But how effective are they? Are people using them? It turns out, we dig QR codes. According to Mobio Identity Systems, QR scanning growth exceeded 1200% in the last half of 2010. Women make up the majority of scanners with 64% and while we mostly scan things to gain more information about a product or service, payment scans accounted for 5% of all scans. Starbucks uses QR codes for their mobile payment app. I'm patiently awaiting the day when I can pay everywhere with my phone. According to JumpScan, 57% of Facebook and Twitter users say they've scanned a QR code at least once and iPhone users represent the bulk of scanners with 68%. MGH recently published a QR usage and interest survey. You can read the full survey here, but here's a breakdown of their usage statistics for QR codes:
So if you want to join the cool kids and make your own QR codes, check out Kaywa or JumpScan. And if you need a QR reader for your phone, there are several available. QR codes might even help your library run more smoothly. The Orange County Library System in Orlando is using them to offer discounts at the Friends' bookstore and to offer patron access to a map of the library. Pretty Cool.
Are you using QR codes for something cool? Let us know about it in the comments. Happy Scanning!
2010 Digital Year in Review
comScore released their White Paper The 2010 U.S. Digital Year in Review this week. It's available to download for free (you have to provide some basic information) and contains information on Social Networking Trends & Demographics, Top Search Terms, the Online Video Market and the Mobile Market, as well as a look ahead at 2011. Just a few of the interesting facts available:
- Cyber Monday (Monday, November 29, 2010) surpassed $1 billion for the first time--$1.028 billion
- 2010 was the year for group buying (though you probably didn't need an official report to you that) with Groupon jumping over 712% over 2009; LivingSocial is a close second jumping 438%
- In 2010 9 out of 10 Internet users visited a social networking site each month with the average user spending about 4.5 hours a month on these sites
- Facebook grew 38% and became the 4th most visited web property
- The percentage of us who watch TV online continues to grow with Hulu leading the pack--up 17% over last year
- About 27% of us own Smartphones
As you can see, White Papers can be a great source of information and lots of companies provide them freely available on their websites.