The United States is slowly falling in line with the majority of the Internet connected world and moving to web browsing on their cell phone. Naturally, our students are at least representative of this trend if not slightly skewed even more in the direction of mobile internet use. Blackboard currently supports a limited iPhone app and has a more robust one in the works. We were curious which devices we should focus on if we develop our own integration or which direction to push Blackboard Inc. in the future. Here are the results (5,751 responses):
My hypothesis going into this was that the majority of students would not have a smart phone. It’s important to note that the question is forward looking. It asks about a future purchase, so perhaps most people are thinking about buying one but don’t have one yet.
Given the longevity of Blackberry I expected to see it dominate, but the iPhone comes very close. I suspect this being asked of students is probably skewing this since they tend to be biased a bit toward Apple. The real disappointment here is the G1/Google Phone, but it seems to be part of a larger trend.
The plain cellphone and none at all is a fairly large number and I wonder what we can bring to these people? Watch this blog for a possible answer to that question very soon.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
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September 14th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I think you should have had windows Mobile as an item. HTC run windows mobile, but there are numerous other phones which run Windows which is represented as other. Top phone OS would be Iphone, Blackberry, Windows, Palm, and Other.
September 19th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I use the G1 Android Phone. I love it. It is my constant companion.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
It seems to me that blackberry is very popular in the states, here in the UK it’s got a corporate following, but the tech savvy IT crowd have 1 option and that’s the iPhone. It really is taking over. HTC are trying with their latest offering but it’s missing important features but it does utilise Googles Android OS. Funnily enough there aren’t many options that really are making headway with a windows mobile OS. I think the US will fall into line with Europe and the Apple iPhone really will take over the world!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
First, in reply to the poster about Windows mobile, the percentage of the cell phone market that runs Windows mobile is pretty small. According to a survey performed by Canalys, the percentage of Windows mobile dropped to 9% in Q2 of 2009. Hardly worth mentioning.
Second, I thought the above survey didn’t address whether people were actually using their cell phones for browsing. A lot of people have these phones for texting, MP3 playing, or just to look cool. I suspect that a small percentage actually use their phone for true Internet use. Owning a smartphone and using it to access the Internet are entirely different things.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Jesse, if 9% isn’t worth mentioning, then nobody should mention Apple computers–they have less than 9% of the personal computer market.
With less than 20% of the student base responding, there may be skew toward students with smartphones having easier access to this poll than students with a boat anchor.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I bought the Google G1 fairly soon after its release and haven’t regretted it yet. I was tempted by the iPhone but the price plans here are literally three times as much as the G1 so it was a no-brainer.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Can we get an app for the blackberry? it would be much appreciated…..
October 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am
have to put in a good word for android phones. Google’s mobile OS has been seriously underrated by today’s standards. should be interesting to see how these big companies battle it out
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 am
Pretty interesting poll. Especially the numbers on plain cellphone is quite interesting. I am using Android and am satisfied with the performance. I agree with the above comment that Google mobile OS is underrated on some counts.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:26 am
The Android mobile operating system just needs more time - once the hype around the 30 new WiMo phones coming out in 2010 dies down they will likely get a better look in.
Also, Android handsets still lack in availability - in Australia it is hard to find a decent one for under $600.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I think Iphone, blackperry and palm pre are the best smart phones. After that Google….
regards,
ASHISH T from HC
November 10th, 2009 at 5:21 am
I believe that these phones are good and like it very much. Hopefully i would see more in near future…
Can you get cell phone cash discount?