Our mobile emotions are frequent and intense
According to a new study by the UMTS Forum, "Social Shaping of UMTS - Preparing the 3G Customer," the use of mobile phones doesn't increase the breadth of our social networks, but does make our existing contacts "more frequent and intensive." The report goes on to say that phones are more intimate devices than PCs and PDAs.
This is an industry study vetted by industry executives, so who knows whether the findings reflect reality. Take the measure from this passage:
[T]he study suggests that people have a more 'emotional' relationship with their mobile phone than they do with other forms of computational device, for example a PC or PDA. There is a distinct emotional attachment to the information contained on and delivered via their mobile phone. Mobile phones are increasingly becoming the only place people store their social and family phone numbers and diary dates. Consequently, the potential loss can cause anguish to owners.
Sniff, sniff. Makes me choke up just thinking about my phone. Cuddly little bloodsucker. However, on a slight serious note: This does provide justification for wireless providers' continued emphasis on voice and giving away data services to keep voice customers, which will only enable better data connectivity at lower costs.
Posted by Mitch Ratcliffe at February 23, 2003 07:43 PM | TrackBack