As consumer preferences and habits for smartphone usage continue to shift, millennials are driving the increased usage of video calling as a preferred application among smartphone users.
In fact, according to The NPD Group’s (www.npdgroup.com) “Connected Intelligence Application and Convergence Report,” more than half (52%) of smartphone users age 18-34 say they now use their smartphones to conduct video calls, representing an increase of 10 points year-over-year. In addition to video calling, smartphone users in the 18-34 age range also cited using their device for music and shopping as well as posting and viewing videos. In fact, many of these behaviors increased in prevalence among this user segment during the prior year, too.
“Video calling, posting and watching video are more common among Millennial smartphone users than among any other age group,” noted John Buffone, executive director, Industry Analyst, Connected Intelligence. “And as smartphones increase in size, Millennials are leading increases in activity, thus also leading the migration towards larger data plans.”
Meanwhile, millennials are using computers less often, and their behavior shifts are impacting more than just entertainment. Fewer reported using their computer for web browsing, email, shopping, Facebook, music, posting pictures or videos, navigation and Twitter.
The NPD Group’s Connected Intelligence Application and Convergence Report analyzes consumers’ use of the connected TV, tablet, and smartphone; examining which content resonates on which device and how these devices are drawing consumers away from their computers. The report covers use of devices that deliver content over the Internet via fixed or cellular networks, tracking usage of services such as Netflix, Facebook, and Pandora across connected TVs, video game consoles, Blu-ray Disc players, streaming media players, tablets, smartphones and computers.
NPD Connected Intelligence’s Application and Convergence research surveyed more than 5,000 U.S. consumers age 18 and older from diverse regions and demographical backgrounds. These consumers reported their usage of desktops/laptops, connected TVs, tablets, and smartphones. This survey was fielded in late October 2015.