Tag: arbitron mobile

Majority of mobile commerce happens through smartphones

| May 14, 2013

Mobile Commerce and SmartphonesReport shows that smartphone users make up the bulk of mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is on the rise all over the world, backed by the proliferation of mobile technology. As more consumers purchase mobile devices, the more exposed they become to mobile commerce. Many consumers have begun to favor this form of commerce over any other, claiming that it is simply more efficient and, therefore, more appropriate for modern society. A new report from Arbitron Mobile, a leading market research firm, suggests that consumers favor their smartphones when it comes to mobile payments.

Smartphones are favored in the US and Europe

According to the report, the majority of U.S. smartphone owners make use of mobile commerce applications. These consumers also spend a significant amount of their time shopping with these applications. Outside of the U.S., approximately 66% of smartphone owners in the United Kingdom make use of mobile commerce applications. On average, UK consumers spend 134 minutes of their time on these applications. This trend can also be seen in Germany, France, and other European countries.

eBay and Amazon apps prove most popular with consumers

The report shows that mobile commerce applications from eBay and Amazon are the most popular with consumers.  These applications account for the majority of spending occurring in the mobile commerce field and consumers tend to be engaged with these applications more so than any other. This is partly due to the fact that these applications are tied to the online stores hosted by eBay and Amazon, giving consumers a constant connection to the products they may be interested in.

Smartphones may be dominant platform for mobile commerce

Mobile commerce has been gaining ground with tablet users due to the functionality of these devices. Smartphones, however, are likely to remain the most popular platform through which to participate in mobile commerce. Consumers still express some concerns regarding security, but most have shown that they are willing to conduct mobile payments through secure platforms.

iOS favored for mobile games among consumers

| February 13, 2013

ios mobile gamesConsumers prefer iOS over Android when it comes to mobile games

Mobile games are very popular for consumers all over the world. These games have become one of the most favored pastimes for those with iOS and Android devices and there are no signs that mobile games will become unpopular in the foreseeable future. Arbitron Mobile, a mobile behavior analytics firm, has released a new survey concerning which mobile platform consumers prefer for gaming. The survey shows that Apple devices are the most popular platforms for mobile games on the market.

iPhone has become a massively popular gaming platform

According to the survey, 85.7% of consumers prefer to use mobile games on an iOS device. Approximately 76% of consumers favor Android devices. The iPhone is the most popular device among gamers, accounting for an average of 12 hours and 23 minutes of engagement in mobile gaming in December 2012. Overall, mobile games take up the majority of time people spend on mobile devices, iOS or otherwise. Social networking comes in second, but consumers typically play mobile games through such networks.

Mobile games represent promising marketing opportunities

The popularity of mobile games presents a major opportunity for advertisers and game developers. Because the majority of the time consumers spend on their mobile devices is devoted to gaming, developers have a chance to push in-game sales of products and services. Developers can also sell in-game space to advertisers looking to engage mobile consumers. This is a common practice in the field of mobile games, as such games are typically free or very inexpensive. In-game transactions are, therefore, the primary way for developers to generate profits.

Game industry begins to veer toward Android

Though consumers appear to favor the iOS platform for mobile games, Android has been gaining momentum in this field for years. Consumers are becoming more interested in Android devices over those provided by Apple due to new features being introduced to the Android platform. The game industry has also shown favor for Android because of its accessibility, leading many developers to move away from the iOS.