S'pore ranks 3rd in smartphone craze

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#1
Oh I've seen some people use it right through dinner, as well! Tongue

I am surprised though, that Nokia has 38% share while iPhone has 35%! Everywhere I go, I see almost all iPhones. The survey may have been skewed? I suspect it's more like 70% iPhones and 5% Nokia..... Big Grin

Apr 27, 2011
S'pore ranks 3rd in smartphone craze

Republic's penetration rate for device behind only Saudi Arabia, UAE: Poll
By Chua Hian Hou , Technology Correspondent

Dinner seems to be the only time of the day that Singaporeans can resist the 'call' of the smartphone.

But they are the most hooked on it during their morning commute.

These were among the findings of a global research report on user habits released yesterday, showing that Singaporeans are one of the world's most avid users of these mobile computers.

The survey by market research company TNS found that 72 per cent, or about 5.3 million, of the 7.3 million mobile phones here are smartphones.

Singapore's 72 per cent figure is the world's third-highest smartphone penetration rate, after Saudi Arabia's 86 per cent and the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) 75 per cent.

TNS' managing director for global technology James Fergusson said consumers worldwide are hooked on smartphones because a single device connects them to many activity options, from surfing the Internet and keeping friends updated via Facebook to playing games.

The Republic's penetration rate, he added, got a boost due to its 'high standards of living and good quality telco coverage'. These reasons were similarly cited for Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The survey polled 34,000 people aged 16 to 60 in 43 countries between October and November last year. It included 578 Singaporeans.

It found Singapore users to be 'much more tech-savvy than others in the world', he said.

'You only have to travel on the MRT to see how much those of us in Singapore rely on our mobile devices at every point of our day. What we're seeing here is a glimpse into the future of other countries,' added Mr Fergusson, who is based here.

Popular activities include sending text messages, visiting social networking site Facebook, playing games and checking e-mail.

'You see a massive spike in mobile usage during the daily commute and in the late evening, while all mobile activity dips dramatically as Singaporeans eat dinner,' he said.

During the morning commute, smartphones are the most heavily used - to play music and games, and send text messages.

Usage slows down when consumers get to their workplace.

They begin fiddling with their phones again during lunch to catch up with friends via Facebook, for example, send text messages and surf the Internet.

Smartphone activity slowly ebbs to a daily low during dinner.

Its usage spikes again after dinner, with primary activities being social networking and Web surfing, before folks call it a night.

One typical smartphone fan is Ms Lisa Goh, who uses her Samsung Galaxy S to connect with friends and update them on her life 'at least four times a day'.

On Facebook, the 20-year-old undergraduate will 'share pictures of what we had for lunch, pictures of stuff happening on campus and what I and my friends are doing'.

Customers like Ms Goh give a clear signal of how Singaporeans are taking advantage of their mobile device's ability to go online any time, anywhere, said Mr Fergusson.

'When sharing things with friends via Facebook, like say, telling them of a fantastic promotion in Orchard Road you just saw, there is much greater value in them (friends) receiving such data as it happens, than later at your desktop computer,' he added.

The survey also revealed which smartphones get a ringing endorsement here.

Apple's iPhone is popular, with a 35 per cent share of the market.

Nokia pipped it by a whisker at 38 per cent, although it is likely to lose its lead as more users switch to iPhones or models running Google's Android software, said Mr Fergusson.

BlackBerry and Microsoft Windows handsets each has a 6 per cent market share.

chuahh@sph.com.sg

My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#2
musicwhiz its time to get one. mai tu liao.
Dividend Investing and More @ InvestmentMoats.com
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#3
MW,

If you upgrade to smart phone, let me know OK? If you switch over too, then it's my indicator to load Apple and telecoms stocks Wink

LOL
Just google singapore man of leisure
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#4
Probably miss significant upside in Apple already but I believe there's still good chance with telco.


Cory


Just my Diary
corylogics.blogspot.com/


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#5
Hi Jared Seah and Drizzt,

You guys are really amusing, haha! Tongue

No plans to "upgrade" to a smartphone as yet. I've examined many aspects of my life and concluded that I don't need one right now, and even if I WANT one, the cost is rather prohibitive (about $400 to $600). I'm quite happy with my Nokia which can call/SMS and play the occasional game.

Cheers! Smile
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#6
mine's free if you sign a 2 year contract ;> they might even have to pay you to own my phone now...
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#7
(27-04-2011, 04:08 PM)piggo Wrote: mine's free if you sign a 2 year contract ;> they might even have to pay you to own my phone now...

Wow piggo, if I was offered such a good deal then I would seriously consider it! Cool
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#8
I am one of the rare users of the latest Nokia C7 smartphone. I paid ~$100 on a 2 year 3G Flexi Lite contract at $28 per month.
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#9
Cory,

Yup, I am invested in one Telecoms stock. But Apple is still quite interesting. Although the stock has run up quite a lot, it might be a "value" play..... (if we ignore the price history and focus on forward earnings).

I am waiting for the dust to settle for the IPAD story. Now Sony has joined into the fray! Let's see if Apple's IPAD is still the market leader like for the IPOD and IPHONE (ok, war with android and future Nokia/MS alliance is still not settled yet)

I'll use MW as the indicator. If he buys Apple IPHONE, I'll buy Apple. If MW buys an android phone, I'll stick with TW contract manufacturer, if MW buys future Nokia/MS phone, then it's Nokia turnaround play for me!

And I will hope Drizzt will post the above battle scenario for us!

LOL!

Just google singapore man of leisure
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