UK workers are being distracted by mobile games
Mobile games are exceedingly popular with a wide range of people all over the world. These games may be so popular, in fact, that they are causing many people to miss work, or at least serving as a significant distraction. In the United Kingdom, the distraction that mobile games represent could be having a significant impact on the economy. A recent survey from FortuneFrenzy highlights the dubious side of the popularity of mobile games and how they are influencing consumers to avoid working.
Survey shows that majority of workers spend their time playing mobile games
According to the survey from FortuneFrenzy, approximately 53% of UK workers spend a significant part of their day on mobile games. The survey suggests that this is costing the economy as much as $400 million every year due to lost productivity. Approximately 57% of respondents to the survey note that they check their mobile devices at least once every 10 minutes, which itself cuts into productivity in a minor way. The survey shows that workers typically spend at least one hour on mobile games while working each day.
Growing popularity of mobile technology changes the work environment
A similar survey conducted by YouGov in 2005 found that 80% of workers throughout the UK considered it unacceptable to send or receive text messages in the workplace. Today, mobile technology plays a bigger role in people’s lives than it did in 2005. More people have access to smartphones and tablets than were available in 2005 and mobile games have become a major craze among consumers that are, in some cases, starved for entertainment.
Mobile games prove addicting for many
Mobile games have for some time now been designed to be as addicting as popular. This has helped enthrall and is a favorable practice in the game industry due to the fact that engagement is directly linked to revenue. The longer a person is engaged in any particular mobile game, the more exposed they are to advertisements and the more likely they are to make in-game purchases.
Mobile commerce making significant progress in the UK
Mobile commerce is showing strong growth in the United Kingdom. More consumers throughout the country are gaining access to smartphones and tablets, and these mobile devices are making it more convenient for a wider variety of people to shop online. Mobile commerce has garnered acclaim for the convenience it offers consumers and several retailers are beginning to grow more accommodating to these consumers as they show a penchant for mobile payments. The growth of mobile commerce is strongly tied to the availability of mobile technology.
Smartphone ownership on the rise
According to a recent study from Gartner, a leading market research firm, sales for smartphones and tablets have been growing rapidly over the past two years. In 2012, the number of smartphones in the world reached 1 billion — one for every seven people in the world. The rapid growth of smartphone ownership has exposed more people to the concept of mobile commerce, a concept they have shown a great deal of interest in.
Proliferation of mobile technology draws more interest into mobile commerce
Ofcom, a government-approved regulator of the communications sector in the United Kingdom, has released information showing that half of the population of the country own a smartphone, with 19% of the population owning a tablet device. Approximately 81% of these smartphone owners prefer to use their smartphones over traditional forms of communication. Approximately 31% of all site traffic in the United Kingdom comes from mobile devices as well, creating a strong need for retailers to become more accommodating to the needs of mobile consumers.
Ease-of-use and simplicity appeal to consumers
The reasons consumers have been showing such strong interest in mobile commerce are straightforward. First, mobile commerce is considered simple, with purchases made for products being accomplished in a matter of seconds. Another factor is that mobile commerce platforms are easy to use, proving accommodating to mobile consumers of varying degrees of comfort with mobile technology. Mobile shopping is also considered, among consumers, to be more enjoyable than shopping at traditional stores, adding further appeal to mobile commerce.
