Recent research commissioned by Consumer Cellular, a provider of cell phones and cellular phone plans to boomers and seniors, revealed that this category of users has begun to view smartphones as a necessary part of their lifestyles and are becoming more dependent on them.
The current research was conducted in two parts; the first survey included Consumer Cellular customers and also non-customers above the age of 40 while the second focused on Consumer Cellular Motorola (News 
- Alert) Bravo smartphone customers of all ages.
According to the survey, a large majority of the respondents belonged to the “Do it Yourself” category when it came to acquainting themselves with the smartphone features and functions. Fifty nine percent voted for e-mail being their most used tool.
Boomers were impressed with the voice activated controls and the ability to expand text size and were in favor of using a smartphone to be in touch. They also appeared to access the Internet as frequently, if not more than the younger generation. In fact sixty-six percent used their smartphones to connect to the Internet using WiFi (News - Alert). Twenty-five percent had surrendered their landline phones in exchange for a mobile phone.
“These surveys clearly show that Boomers are interested in the latest phones and technologies for the same reasons as younger generations,” said John Marick, CEO of Consumer Cellular, in a statement. He added, “We are excited to offer products and wireless services that meet the changing needs of the Boomer audience.”
News and sports websites were more frequented by men than by women while the latter dominated when it came to social media websites. Almost seventy five percent of the respondents indicated the one-touch emergency call option as 'very important.'
Another study commissioned by Consumer Cellular and conducted by Flying Coyotes, a telecommunications firm reports that those aged 40-plus aren’t intimidated by smartphones or applications and are in fact teaching themselves how to use them.
Mini Swamy is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
