In the last data update, I revealed that social network usage is rising, especially in Russia and Egypt. A good sign for the citizens of those disrupted countries.
Now, we have data on cell phone use and it clearly shows the rise of smart phones in both developed and undeveloped countries.
Japan has the highest smart phone adoption of any country, but it is the near universal adoption of text messaging in Indonesia (96%) that blew me away.
Sending Text Messages
Only 2/3 of Americans use their cell phones to send text messages.
Globally, there are 15 countries with a higher percentage who send text messages on their cell phones
- 90% or more – Indonesia
- 80% or more – Kenya, Lebanon, Poland, Mexico, Japan, & China.
- 70% or more – Britain, Lithuania, France, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Ukraine, & Spain.
Taking Pictures or Video
When it comes to using our cell phones for pictures or video, at least the U.S. is in the top 5.
- Japan – 72%
- Mexico – 61%
- Spain – 59%
- Egypt – 58%
- United States, Israel – 57%
The mobile internet
In no country do a majority of people use cell phones to regularly access the internet.
- Israel – 47%
- Japan – 47%
- United States – 43%
- Britain – 38%
- China 37%
*Data is from a Pew Global Poll completed by surveying 1,000 people in each country via the telephone or face-to-face from March-April, 2011.