Mobile Strategy and Psychology - Assignment B (Gary)

Personal Profile Summary

Average Smartphone Usage

I notice my mobile usage is very similar to the average listed at the on the Average Smartphone Usage by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American life Project back in 2011.

I like to leave me phone turned off at night, so my day begins with turning my phone on first thing in the morning and check the weather in preparation for the day. And then immediately after that, I check my 3 linked emails on my phone, 2 personal and 1 work-related, to see if there are any important emails I missed overnight and remove what I consider as “junk” out of my inboxes.  I’m fairly consistent with these 2 actions in the morning to a point it almost became automatic.

As I mentioned before, I have my work email setup on my phone and I can’t help it to look at it every time my phone vibrates for attention; for I receive quite a bit of email communication with my colleagues, clients, and suppliers daily. This then take up most of my usage on my mobile device. Another major area that I use my mobile device for is entertainment. Throughout the day, I jump in and out of my phone to check on Facebook and Instagram for status updates, as well as occasionally reply to text messages as they come in. I also take a few minute here and there to check on some the games that I installed and apps that prompts me with notifications. Reading on the feeds from the Flipboard App also is one of my daily routines. That goes on for the remaining of the day until I shut it off at night around 10:00pm.

Personal Assessment:

Although I don’t keep my phone on all day long, but I do feel like that I’m extremely attached to it when my phone is within my reach; especially with the work email connected to the phone. As a rough estimate, I would say I’m on my phone at least 20 minutes of any given hour, 90% of it would be work related and the rest (10%) goes to personal activities. The demand for attention to the work email was so overwhelmed to a point that even having time-off doesn't necessary steer me away from checking the work email. Apparently, I was not the only person who experience that. The article from iPass “MobileWorkforce Survey results: Section 2: To Connect or Disconnect?” shows that people stay connected to work even during their scheduled vacation time.

Do you connect to technology when on vacation for work or personal reasons?

Just to put everything in context, my mobile usage focuses mostly on email and messaging; communication related activities makes up most of my mobile usage. I like the idea of instant connection and I don’t have to delay my respond regardless of the content. Tracking my usage in one day does give me a “full picture” and help me realise how attached I am to it. It leads me to understand how much time I spent on work related item compare to my personal usage. I also notice that I rarely use my cell phone for buying and shopping purposes.

Just for fun though, it is hard not to compare what the actual statistic on messaging, and I found this image on “Toilet Texting”. Do I do that? (…maybe!?!)

Toilet Texting

With that being said, I'm a prime target for email marketing given the fact that I'm on that function all the time. I'm open to the idea and I don't feel bombarded because I'm always very careful to them, I do clear up my email all the time, things like unsubscribe to irrelevant or poorly design emails, keep the one that capture my attention and interest - things that are tailor to my need. My experience with email marketing is actually very similar to those who got interview by BlueHornet. here is their video for "Consumer Views of Email Marketing 2013: On-the-Street Interviews".

Consumer Views of Email Marketing 2013: On-the-Street Interviews

Finally, I think I'm too prominent to notifications on my phone. Every time the phone vibrate is like a “call-to-action” for me to pick it up, both mobile notifications and received emails. I’m just glad that I turn my phone off at night just to have a break from all of these notifications. But if you ask me, are you using your mobile too much, I don’t think my answer is a definite “Yes”; maybe because I’ve already gotten use to the way I use my mobile device and the amount of time I spent on it. I have never consider turning off all the notifications because I like to stay on-top with things, and have a timely response for both work-related and personal messages. 

Assignment B - Mobile Strategy and Psychology

When I think about the amount of time that I spend on mobile devices (I have a an android phone for personal use and my employer provides me with an iPad), I have to say, I don't think that I spend that much time on my mobile. 

I view myself as the antithesis of Golum in regards to the appeal of being mobile (but I know people who are just like this though...).

  

1. I use my phone everyday. It's my alarm to wake me (and the cats) up.

and I also check the weather to determine how warmly I should dress.

While trying to convince myself that it's a good idea to get up and get ready for the day, I may check my personal email to see if I received any interesting emails whilst sleeping. That's about it until the evening, when I may use an app that lets me log into my mobile via my computer so that I can remotely text. I also (surprisingly) use my mobile to talk on the phone.

My iPad is used intermittently, on a weekly basis, to play games, access Facebook and check work emails. I would estimate that overall, 95% of my mobile usage is personal and 5% is for work.

2. The most enjoyable way to use my mobile, is to not use it. Honestly. I try to make an active effort to not to be connected to mobile devices. 

I see people everywhere I go, focused on their phones and not engaging in real life (outside the online realm). On the LRT ride to this class yesterday I saw two parents riding with their three kids. The children were trying to engage with their parents, but the parents barely looked up to acknowledge their kids.

I'm not scared of mobile technology or fear it; I would just much rather engage via laptop/computer in a certain location (e.g. my desk) and be 'unconnected' the rest of the time.

3. I think that tracking my usage for one day does provide a mostly complete picture of my current use, although it may not for others. My weekend habits are very close to my weekday mobile habits; however I may have more time to play a logic game and am more likely to check my work email to see if any fires have popped up. Overall, there might be a very small spike in my mobile usage on weekends, but it is minimal.

4. I find it interesting that in 2014, mobile internet usage will overtake desktops.

I do understand this trend, with mobile being more affordable and portable than desktops. Also, free WiFi is available in most major cities in North America, and data plans allow the user to be connected when they want and where they want. 

With that said, I make a conscious decision to keep my use of mobile devices at a minimum.  

Other than purchasing two apps, I've never made a mobile purchase. I don't have any loyalty program apps on my mobile. I deny all requests for push notifications from games. I've disabled as many pre-loaded apps that came with my mobile as possible. 

I realize that mobile internet use is no longer the way of the future, it is the present--the here and now of what is happening. I may eventually embrace more of the benefits of mobile internet, but for the time being, I'm okay living more like this.

Assignment B: How many is too many?

Posted by: Shannon Nicolson

Not an exact representation of my mobile device love

I'm almost always connected to my mobile devices - two iPhones (work and personal) and an iPad.

It starts early in the morning with the (annoying) buzz of my iPhone alarm clock and a quick scroll through Twitter, Facebook and my email newsletters to prepare myself for the day ahead.  I work in digital communications so it's important to stay connected to the issues and conversation happening online.

Depending on weather conditions, I may also check #yegtraffic on Twitter to see if there are any accidents or delays that may affect my commute.

I'm less likely to reach for my mobile device during the day if I'm working at my desk. I may even forget it at the bottom of my bag and only pull it out to check on my daughter to ensure she made it home okay.

If I'm not working at my desk, it becomes my lifeline to the office - especially if there's an issue. We're a small team and need to pull together when something comes up. This can include heavy social media monitoring, responding to emails and document sharing. Today, I listened to a radio interview on SoundCloud - an audio sharing site.

My mobile use ramps up in the evening. I'm often on call so I need to stay on top of my text messages. This is the preferred method to communicate with my boss, emails are for less urgent information. I may also exchange a few text messages with friends to catch up or make plans.

For the most part, my wifi is fired up for checking Twitter and Facebook (mainly for professional interest), pouring through my Feedly stream for the latest industry news, and scanning decor ideas on Pinterest, now that I'm a new homeowner-in-waiting. My iPad is my preferred device for checking into eClass and keeping up with my other online classes. When there is downtime, we may stream the latest episode of The 100 on Netflix. Occasionally, I use my mobile apps for e-banking or purchasing a movie ticket.

As much as I love being connected, I'm conscience of the need to put down my iPhone more often, especially when hanging out with the kidlet. I admit I'm addicted to the constant flow of information but it comes at an expense to my family. This viral video - an open letter telling moms to put down their phones - has been seen more than 6 million times. I glad I'm not the only guilty one!

All Over the Map - My Mobile Strategy and Psychology

I think that my phone is always in my hand except when I'm eating and driving and yes sadly when I am in the bathroom I use it.  For me it is the one place that my kids might not bother me about my cell phone use.





My day begins with checking my Facebook page and then immediately looking at Instagram.  I love to look and comment but rarely do I post.  I  fit into the 35% http://www.factbrowser.com/tags/instagram/ of adults who check the page more than once a day.  This article also states that 17% of teenagers say that Instagram is the most important social app however I would think that that number is much higher.  I probably check instagram to keep up with my teens and tht is the site they consider the most relevant at this time.



I would have to agree that I use 6 out of these 12 apps every morning without fail. That number could increase if my day was going to include an activity outside my usual schedule.  In the other app I would include the manage my Facebook page app.  I always check my stats first thing and to see if I need to respond to customers.







 I am also a huge fan of YouTube and use it to watch programs like Big Brother Australia that I would otherwise not have access to on regular t.v.  https://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.htm  I will make a commitment to to spend an hour on the treadmill at the gym if I can watch YouTube or Netflix on my mobile device.  I think the ability to stream video is a huge bonus for me in my personal and work mobile use.

The problem not talked about in today's world.   Women and gaming.  We still see it as a male problem but women have indeed surpassed men in online gaming use.  Mostly because of games, like Candy Crush, on mobile devices. http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/08/07/women-spend-more-time-and-money-on-mobile-games-than-men  It used to be that women shopped and hid the tags or receipts but I have friends who now hide the money they have spent on boosts for gaming apps.  I have to admit that I am incredibly cheap and won't buy boosts but I might go on to YouTube and learn a trick to pass a level.



I love my smartphone and all that it allows me to accomplish in a single day.  I am able to remain connected to family and friends around the world, bank, work, and play. I guess what I am trying to say is that I use my mobile device far to much.  It is like and appendage for me and it takes tremendous will for me to put it down at night.  my children recognised this long before me and that is why I hide in the bathroom.

Me and my mobile. Assignment B

My phone is just as important in my day as my pants.  Maybe more so...... 

When and Why do I use my mobile?

Depending on the time of day and my activity will determine my phone use.  When I am doing chores including feeding animals and hauling water my phone is tucked neatly into my cover-alls to avoid damage.  I will carry my phone but avoid using it when I am working with my horses.  One time a seemingly trained horse darted out from underneath while I was surfing Facebook.  lesson learned.

I will use my phone often during down time at work or boredom situations.  I will also use my phone more when I am travelling or eating alone.  I it is my theory that if I am on my phone I am not alone. I do not use my handheld while driving in traffic I have bluetooth. Wait do that count as using my mobile? 

What do I do with my phone?

I do not have one specific use for my phone.  I am most likely to surf social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.  I check my email 5-10 per day depending on how bored I am and I will check Facebook the same. My previous job and any time I travel especially in the winter I will frequent weather forecast apps, highway condition apps  I do not check my phone first thing in the morning or at night.  I first need coffee and I have a laptop. 

Shopping from my mobile device has been a hit and miss function for me.  I have not found the experience to be as pleasing as using a laptop or the store front.  If I am going to use a mobile device to buy it will be my Ipad. 

I travel and even live away from home 4-5 days per week.  My family and I rely on Facetime and Skype to stay in contact.  We can talk and text all day but it gives me a chance to say goodnight to my son and even kiss the screen. 

I have used U-tube on occasion but not enough to remember my username and password.  It was used predominantly for showcasing the horses I had trained and needed to sell.  I will watch U-tube videos but less likely on my Iphone but will watch on my Ipad on Wifi.

Pinterest is a platform I will use sporadically.  I never have enough follow through or time to take on any of those projects. 

Am I an Addict? 

Yes I am!! Am I any different from most of society? Nope.  I make an effort to disconnect to make sure my family has face time with me. I follow rules of etiquette despite what my mother-in-law says about me.  I am very conscious of what I post on Facebook.  I do not make large announcements unless it is already public knowledge, I do not post pictures or say things that can come back to haunt me.  I find this is really important. 

Do I need help? 

Depends who you ask! My aging family members chide me for being so connected but if anything I feel the need to keep up.  I see a world that has changed and we need to be adopting the technology and accepting it into our lives to stay current.  Knowing when to disconnect and remember the faces of those you love is important to stay in balance. 

It's My Bathroom and I'll Tweet if I want to..

by Crystal Armstrong

I am a Mom so judge me if you will, but my bathroom is my sanctuary and my tablet is coming with me...

Don't Lie, You Use your Tablet in the Bathroom Too!

I work in social media and have 2 small children under the age of 7. As such, my day starts like this;

• Wake up, 
• Reach for my phone/tablet 
• Head to the bathroom. 
• Use my Tablet to catch up on local/world news.
• Prepare the children for another morning filled with chaos..

The bathroom is the one place my children cannot bother me and as such, I catch up on: emails, social updates, post a few updates for my clients and sometimes, even catch an outtake of 'Jimmy Fallon, Lip Sinc battle'.It's only 6:30am and I already have 20 minutes logged on my tablet and I haven't left the bathroom yet! And I am not alone...

Data Usage

I would guess that my usage for the day from morning to night would be 10 hours/day. Which puts me under the American average:

Module 5

Module 5 Mobile Marketing

Activities/Assignments Activity: Read the article: “Nordstrom’s New Mobile Marketing Tool: Texting Photos” at The Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2014/09/18/nordstroms-new-mobile-marketing-tool-texting-photos/. How does this news fit alongside what we’ve read and discussed in this module? Can you think of any Canadian businesses or organizations that employ mobile marketing? Tweet @JessL two examples, be sure to include the class hashtag, #EXSM5513 On or before Nov 28 Assignment B - Mobile Strategy and Psychology - Due Dec 2, Midnight