SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2007 - Online wireless retailer LetsTalk today announced the results of a survey that found the music player feature on cell phones isn’t just for teens. The survey shows over 83 percent of music phone purchasers are over the age of 25, and that 55 percent of those 35 years and older are listening to music on their cell phones. Yet, the music they are putting on cell phones isn’t typically coming from carrier offerings.
The music feature on cell phones is becoming more popular with people of all ages-about 63 percent of multimedia cell phone users have listened to music on their phones. Over 50 percent have downloaded 20 or more songs, and 89 percent have downloaded at least four songs to their phones.
Music phone users have several options for acquiring and downloading music to their cell phones, but in spite of the convenience of buying and downloading songs directly from their carrier, only 14 percent of survey respondents said they have done this. Overall, buying music online is popular, with over 60 percent of those polled going this route. While 67 percent of those polled stated they have used a computer to transfer music files to their cell phones from CDs or the Internet.
“Our survey results indicate that consumers are listening to music from their own collection, so virtually any music phone can meet their needs” said Delly Tamer, CEO of LetsTalk. “Customers are making the most of their music phones with cables and memory cards. The industry needs to offer customers a more compelling reason to download songs directly and easily to their cell phones-better prices, easier navigation, faster speeds, exclusive songs, or all of the above.”
Survey results suggest consumer interest in Apple’s iPhone is mixed after the initial announcement of the product in January 2007. The survey asked if respondents planned to buy the iPhone when it becomes available this summer; 18 percent said “yes”, nearly 52 percent answered “no”, and another 31 percent responded “not sure”. Respondents were allowed to give multiple answers to why they did not plan to buy the iPhone, including:
• Concern about iPhone’s expected cost (49%)
• Satisfaction with their current cell phone’s features (48%)
• Didn’t want to switch carriers/get out of contract (~23%)
Tamer adds, “Given the suggested price of the iPhone and that it’s the first cell phone from Apple, 48 percent of consumers expressing interest in purchasing this product when it becomes available is impressive. We also believe that this number will likely grow larger as Apple continues to emphasize the many exciting user interface innovations it offers; to be seen primarily as an upgraded music phone would not do full justice to the power of this new device.
About the Survey: The music phone user survey was commissioned by LetsTalk and hosted at SurveyMonkey.com. The poll interviewed a representative sampling of over 400 multimedia cell phone users in March 2007. Survey respondents were asked about their use of their phones’ music-player feature, as well as their interest in the Apple iPhone.
LetsTalk.com – the smarter way to buy a cell phone
LetsTalk (www.LetsTalk.com) is a leading online retailer of cell phones, wireless devices and service plans. LetsTalk helps consumers research, compare and purchase cell phones and service plans in a user-friendly environment free from bias and sales pressure. LetsTalk is based in San Francisco and was founded in July 1999.
CONTACT:
Teresa Davis
Page One Public Relations
teresa@pageonepr.com
mobile: 650-520-8053
direct: 650-543-4706
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