I’m a Desktop Veteran. That’s what the latest Pew Internet & American Life survey released last week says I am. The Mobile Difference report, Pew’s latest study on the level of mobile connectivity in the U.S. was highlighted by Lee Rainie, Director of Pew’s Internet Project at the annual Computers in Libraries conference in Crystal City, VA this past Mon, Mar 30.
I join 13% of the American adult population that tend to prefer “stationary” media (as opposed to mobile media like iPhones and Blackberrys) to find and access information on the web. I admit it and it’s true that I’m not much into the latest gadgets and gizmos. If that makes me perhaps seem behind the times and un-kewl, that’s absolutely fine with me. Don’t get me wrong, I like technology and the conveniences they bring. But there’s a point in each day where I say, Enough is enough. Give me a break from all this overstimulation and 24/7 media onslaught!
Apparently Desktop Veterans as a group are generally long-time and saavy users of the internet. They are content utilizing desktops at home and work with high speed connections as their primary mode of exploring the Internet and connecting with friends. Cellphones and mobile applications are secondary. Believe me, my thumbs are embarassingly inept. Unlike my teenage nephew and niece, I can’t text fast enough to save my life!
At least I’m not alone … for now. 61% of American adults report being tied to stationary media, while 39% report being motivated by mobility. Clearly, we can expect this proportion to turn on its head as mobile devices become more affordable and ubiquitous, and as user interfaces improve.
For now, I’m perfectly content with my “wireline” (as opposed to wireless) connectivity, at least that’s what I’m telling myself as I looked longingly at the iPhone ad in the WalMart flyer I got in the mail yesterday. Maybe when the price of an iPhone gets down to $** and the monthly plan gets down to $**, that might just push me over to the dark side …
