Tag: smartphone trends

One in four mobile consumers has at least one mobile app specific to restaurants on their smartphone.

This statistic was discovered by a recent study published by RetailMeNot, Inc., which commissioned Google Consumer Surveys to poll more than 1,000 American consumers on their dining and food habits, including smartphone usage for searches and activities related to restaurants. What the study found was that there were several interesting consumer smartphone trends related to food and dining, such as among the participants surveyed who said that they dine out eight to ten times per week, over two-thirds of these respondents use a restaurant-specific mobile app.

Consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 engage in the most restaurant research on their mobile devices.

The main reasons why restaurant goers use their smartphones is to locate restaurants (53%), browse a menu (49%) and research new restaurants (37%). According to the study, smartphone users in the 25 to 34 age range (millennials) were the most likely to research new restaurants on their mobile phone compared to any other age group (60%).

Mobile marketing is an important part of restaurant-related consumer smartphone trends.

It was discovered that nine out of ten diners who participated in the survey said that they have searched for a restaurant deal at least once. Furthermore, those who earn the most money also tend to be the ones who use online or mobile restaurant deals the most. That being said, eight out of ten consumers who participated admitted that they would likely try a new restaurant if a deal was being offered.

Chief marketing officer in North America for RetailMeNot, Inc., Marissa Tarleton, explained that with the increasing number of consumers turning to their smartphones to assist them with their dining choices, it is becoming more important for restaurants to make the most of mobile advertising.

“Mobile marketing technology is a powerful medium when it comes to serving up the right dining content, in the right location, at the right time,” Tarleton said. “When done well, mobile has the ability to drive more diners through their doors and keep them coming back for more.”

The bottom line is that while researching restaurant locations and new venues is among the bigger smartphone trends for American restaurant patrons, it seems that the majority of consumers actively use their mobile devices to take advantage of restaurant deals.

A recent study has shown that the situation has changed and children now want their parents to toss their phones.

In a striking turning of the tables, a recent study conducted by a team at the University of Washington has found that children are now in the position of wanting their parents to put their mobile technology devices away so that they can spend more time together.

Kids are getting sick of seeing their parents on their smartphones when the children want attention.

They have also pointed out that they feel like their parents are being hypocrites about their use of mobile technology, as kids are told that they have rules about when they can use smartphones and tablets, while parents go ahead and use them whenever they want – which is quite often. The study showed that kids watch their parents continually read and respond to emails, texts and calls from work, friends and family while at the dinner table, while their kids are told that they are not allowed to use their own devices.

Kids have expressed that they feel their parents are setting a bad example with regards to the use of mobile technology.

The study results suggest that parents might want to start living by example instead of laying down rules they don’t live by. The reason is that it is becoming much more difficult for their kids to understand the boundaries that have been set. The conclusion of the study indicated that parents will want to establish limits when it comes to the use of smartphones and tablets but that those rules should apply to the entire family, not just the youngest generation.

The lead researcher of the study, Alexis Hiniker, a doctoral student in human design at the university, said that parents will need to stick to the same rules they have set for their children. She stated that “Managing kids’ technology use was once much easier for parents – they switched off the television when a show was over or kept an eye on kids as they used the family computer in the living room.”

It was also determined that parents were not just failing to stick to the same rules as their kids but they were also setting some bad examples such as texting and driving. It is evident that the rapid evolution of mobile technology is changing the face of the standard family experience and that many parents have yet to find a harmonious balance with their kids.