Windows Phone 7 phones go on sale today, and Microsoft released the findings of a recent Harris Interactive survey that shows the surprising ways mobile phones have become a part of the fabric of Americans' lifestyles. Microsoft is challenging customers to get a grip on their mobile phone habits.
Although people love their phones, there is growing annoyance with the distracted behaviors people exhibit while their heads are buried in their phones. Most U.S. adults indicate they have witnessed examples of bad mobile phone behavior, yet relatively few have admitted to engaging in such behavior themselves.
Findings of the Harris Interactive Windows Phone 7 survey:
- Fifty-five percent of all phone owners surveyed ages 18-35 have used their phone in a bathroom.
- Seventy-two
percent identified bad mobile phone behavior as one of their top 10 pet
peeves, but only 18 percent of mobile phone owners admit they are
guilty of displaying such behavior. - Nineteen percent of phone owners ages 18-24 have dropped their phone in a toilet.•
- Forty-nine
percent of adults ages 18-24 have tripped or walked
into something while walking and texting or e-mailing on their mobile
phone. - Sixty-nine percent of mobile phone users ages 18-34 have used their phone while in bed.
- One-quarter (24 percent) of phone owners have used their mobile phone on a date.
- Two in five (40 percent) of phone owners under the age of 24 have used their mobile phone on a date.
- Misguided multitasking was very common among phone users ages 18-24.
These were most common - losing their mobile phone in an uncommon
place, such as in the refrigerator or under the cushions of their couch
(64 percent). - One-quarter (24 percent) of owners ages 18-24 have had their mobile
phone ring and disrupt an event, such as a wedding, religious service or
play.
They claim that the new Windows Phones offer a different kind of phone
experience that is designed to get users in, out and back to life. With Windows
Phone, Microsoft set out to design a mobile experience that would bring to the start screen
the things people care about most. In doing
so, Windows Phone combines basic everyday tasks - tasks associated with
email or activities related to taking and sharing pictures - so people
can do more in fewer steps.
The study was conducted by telephone Oct. 6-17, 2010, by Harris
Interactive on behalf of Microsoft. Participants included 2,024 adults
over the age of 18. Results were weighted for age, sex, race, education,
region, number of adults and number of telephone lines in the household,
where necessary, to align them with their actual proportions in the
population. A full methodology is available.
Microsoft is running a contest on their Facebook site, where users share their "head-in-phone" stories for a chance to win a Windows Phone 7.
Compare the different Windows Phone 7 handsets.
- Samsung Focus (AT&T) Review.
- Review: HTC Surround (AT&T) Windows Phone 7.
- Windows Phone 7 Operating System Review of Reviews.
- AT&T Offers Free U-verse Trial for Windows Phone 7: Samsung Focus, HTC Surround and LG Quantum.