Mobile Apps Prevalent, Seldom UnusedMobile Apps Prevalent, Seldom Unused

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The Pew Internet Project found that while 35% of mobile-phone users have apps on their devices, only 24% use them. More people have applications on their mobile phones than use them, and fewer than three in 10 cell-phone owners have downloaded applications, a study shows.

The results, part of a U.S. survey of mobile phone users by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, shows that the use of cell-phone applications is clearly at an early stage, and embraced more by men and young adults.

"An apps culture is clearly emerging among some cell phone users, particularly men and young adults," Kristen Purcell, associate director for research at the Pew Internet Project, said in a statement. "Still, it is clear that this is the early stage of adoption when many cell owners do not know what their phone can do. The apps market seems somewhat ahead of a majority of adult cell phone users."

The survey results are important because they reflect the progress mobile-phone manufacturers have made in marketing apps that extend the usefulness of the products and build customer loyalty. All major smartphone makers have online app stores available, including Apple, which has the largest in terms of number of apps.

Specifically, the study found that 35% of U.S. adults with mobile phones have apps on their devices, but only 24% use the software. The latter is particularly true among older adults. In addition, 11% of cell-phone owners are not sure if their phone is equipped with apps, the survey found. Also, only 29% of mobile phone owners have downloaded apps to their phones and even fewer, 13%, have paid for the apps.

Nevertheless, given the fact that mobile phone apps have only been around for roughly two years, the rate of adoption is "pretty remarkable," said Roger Entner, co-author of the report and a senior VP of research at Nielsen's telecom practice, which contributed data to the study.

"Every metric we capture shows a widening embrace of all kinds of apps by a widening population," Entner said. "It's too early to say what this will eventually amount to, but not too early to say that this is an important new part of the technology world of many Americans."

The study was based on a Pew Internet Project survey of 2,252 U.S. adults. The survey was conducted between April 29 and May 30.

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