It’s official. Mobile apps are taking over the world. We no longer live in a world where the internet is the go-to pastime. Now, it’s all about those apps and having social networks at your fingertips whenever and wherever you may be. In a report released by Mary Meeker, partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, these statistics were categorized into the top 10 influential trends happening in today’s rapidly changing technological world.
1. Tablets taking over
The iPad has far surpassed the iPhone and iPod in popularity. The iPhone only shipped a little under 4,000 units it’s third quarter after launching, compared to the iPad which released over 14,000 by its third quarter. While both the iPhone and iPad have revolutionized the use of apps, the iPad is clearly leading the way in mobile internet use now. About 150,000 desktop computers are estimated to sell by the end of 2011, under 400,000 laptops, and over 400,000 smartphones. These are some big numbers, but tablets are estimated to sell close to 500,000, leaving computers in the dust.
2. Mobile is Global
Only five countries make up 46% of the entire world’s internet use. China is the leading force with 384 million people, compared to the US with 240 million users. The other countries are Brazil, India, and Russia.
3. Social Networking to Blame
Facebook is (not surprisingly) the leading social network with 662 million users and 550,000 apps. Google is the leading search engine with 972 million users. Apple takes the cake for leading mobile sales with 130 million users and 350,000 apps (but can you believe…over 10 billion downloads). Twitter was the most popular tool for information sharing with 253 million users.
4. Time with Mobile internet
Facebook is used two times more on smartphones than on a desktop, and half of twitter users are doing so on their smartphones. Desktops should really start worrying. 60% of time spent on smartphones was “new activity for mobile users.” 12% of that 60 was spent on mobile apps, 32% was spent on the phone, Skype, or messaging, 9% was spent on email apps, and 47% was spent on “other,” which includes games, maps, social networking, and more. Angry Birds, anyone?
5. Mobile Advertising
This is one of the few areas in the mobile world that are currently failing. For whatever reason, advertising hasn’t been able to hold consistent revenue. This is odd because mobile ads reach 100% of their audience but only engages 70%, whereas TV reaches 50% and engages 90%.
6. M-Commerce Changing Shopping Forever
Mobile shopping apps are allowing for impulsive, instantly-gratifying purchases and are driving revenue and ROI for retail stores. John Donahoe, President and CEO of eBay has personally seen these changes with his company, stating “Mobile is clearly becoming a new way people shop…[eBay has] nearly tripled gross merchandise value year-over-year to nearly $2 billion, which strong holiday shopping momentum in Q4. In 2011 we expect Mobile GMV to double to $4 billion.” WOW.
Now, don’t believe for a second that these trends aren’t going to be replaced with new ones soon. We can expect to see faster networks, ubiquitous computing with real-time connection 24/7, even better apps and more money for the companies making them, increased foot traffic for stores, and more affordable smartphones and data plans for everyone.
What trends do you hope to see in the next few years? How do you think mobile apps will continue to change the way we do things?
Janette Toral
If I may add, the growth of location-based services is expected with the growth of smartphone / high-tech mobile devices as well.
kylelacy
Absolutely! I am really interested in seeing how the location-based services helps with the growth of the market.
Beryn Hammil
On item 5; mobile advertising… hopeful QR Code will be the answer here as it was in Japan and S. Korea. More companies are using this powerful tool to expand their message to these little mobile screens, and it makes a tremendous difference.
kylelacy
You can cross your fingers on this one. I think it is all dependent on the knowledge of the consumer base. I still think we are 6-12 months out from QR codes actually changing the ideas of a marketplace.
Brittany Dukes
With these new forms of mobile trends, the desktop computers online are becoming less trendy but I think they still hold the crown for the most reliable means in using social media platforms. That is why I still invest on buying desktop computers particularly for information-based software.
noahrutledge
Yeah. I agree with the shopping part. I can see computers for sale online with good specifications, both used and brand new ones. I guess, more changes are about to happen as we discover and expand technology.