Today’s blog post title are (in)famous words that we’ve all heard before that scream “ADDICT.” Maybe we’ve even said them at one time or another in our lives.
But while most of us think of addiction in terms of various substances or even activities like watching TV or playing video games, the inability to put down our mobile phones and appreciate life around us has become increasingly difficult for many of us.
And now as we near a new announcement from Apple that certainly seems to portend an iPhone 6 or even mobile wearables, the temptation for our mobile devices to play an even greater role in our lives becomes overwhelming.
A recent Mashable article written by Seth Fiegerman introduces us to an app called Moment (pictured at left) that tracks daily iPhone usage. And with it, that growing sense of guilt that tells us we’re simply on our phones too much of each waking day. (Or even while we’re in bed.)
Whether or not a reminder app like Moment helps us cut down on TSOOIP (time spent on our iPhones), it is indicative of the problems that many of us have in carving out business or personal time that doesn’t involve Siri, Google, Sportacular, Words With Friends, Facebook, and other mobile apps that we somehow cannot live without.
Our recent techsurvey projects for both commercial and public radio underscore that mobile phone addiction is becoming a growing problem that more and more people admit to.
In Techsurvey10, we addressed the topic head-on with this agree/disagree statement:
“I’m addicted to my mobile phone.”
And the result? More than a third readily agree or agree strongly that their iPhone, Galaxy S5, or other mobile device is in fact something they simply cannot put down. And as the data on the right side clearly shows, women and younger people are even more inclined to admit their addiction to their mobile phones.
All of this suggests a phenomenon unlike any we’ve witnessed in our lifetimes – or our grandparents’ lifetimes. Had there been a comparable survey in the 1930s, would radio have profiled this way? Or in the 1950s, would television have been perceived as this habit-forming? Or in the 1980s with video games?
The portable “always with us” nature of mobile phones, coupled with their massive computing power, has changed our personal lives – and our professional ones as well. Sadly, many industries – from radio to a variety of other businesses – have often been slow to recognize this sea change in our culture and lifestyle.
Consider a recent survey by Sage North America that zeroed in on construction, food and beverage, and manufacturing businesses. Only 14% of these businesses set aside a budget for mobile technology and applications.
In short, they buy what they need when they perceive they need it, rather than build longer term plans that truly take mobile into account.
As we continue to learn about the importance of mobile gadgetry and applications in the lives of our customers – businesses and consumers – radio’s opportunity to step up big in this space is enormous. But it requires planning and strategies to truly take advantage of the changing culture.
Albert Einstein is credited with saying that “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.”
And many share that fear. But for an industry that has history, habit, and content on its side, radio’s concern should be the opportunity that mobile presents itself.
This is a case where consumer addiction is the fuel that can drive the radio industry forward.
Assuming we can seize and understand the addictive opportunity that’s right before our eyes.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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