Men Say It's Strictly Business, Women Say They Can't Live Without It
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SIEMENS SURVEY ON AMERICANS AND THEIR WIRELESS PHONES
How Americans describe their relationships with their wireless phones. (PRNewsFoto)[AS] SAN DIEGO, CA USA 01/20/2003
Siemens Releases Survey Results on Relationships Between Americans and Their Wireless Phones
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Relationships ... they're fodder for daytime soaps, romance novels, talk shows and now, wireless phone owners. According to a recent national survey conducted by Siemens, most Americans are
in "relationships" with wireless phones, as 65 percent currently own them.
But, are they truly satisfied? Are their relationships full of passion and attraction? While more than half of American wireless phone owners describe their relationship with their phones as a mix of business and pleasure, 36
percent say it's strictly business. And, while 35 percent admit they're constant companions with their mobile phones and can't live without them, about 20 percent say it's time to break up and find a new phone mate.
(Photo: NewsCom: newscom.com )
The Rules of Attraction
Attraction is vital when it comes to wireless phone relationships, and Americans are looking for more than just a pretty face and a shining personality. When asked what characteristics attracted them to their current
phones, being high-maintenance is clearly a turn-off. Overall, 66 percent say cost is the No. 1 trait. Ease of use came in second at 62 percent, followed by functionality (59 percent). And, more than half of Americans say reputation is a key element of attraction, with appearance and personality trailing at 37 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
Battle of the Sexes
Men and women have differences of opinion regarding what they're looking for in a wireless phone. Men are most attracted to their current phones because they offer a variety of functions (65 percent), while women are most
attracted by cost (72 percent). But, who says you can't judge a book by its cover? Men are more smitten by the appearance of their phone compared to women -- 42 percent of men versus 32 percent of women are attracted to their phone because of how it looks.
Appearance and Personality
While people value characteristics beyond appearance, having "the look" and the personality to boot are still somewhat important. One out of 10 wireless phone owners describe their phone companions as sexy and sophisticated. But, a few people need help in the looks and personality
department -- 5 percent say their phones are dull and annoying or unattractive and moody. Generally, baby boomers are having a rough time, as 55- to 64-year-olds are not as happy with their phones. Among this age group, the two most common descriptions of their phone companions are plain and
practical and dull and annoying, while their younger counterparts' top two descriptions are plain and practical and cute and friendly.
Love-Hate Relationship
As the saying goes, "You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em." Fifty-six percent of people admit their phone relationships mix business with pleasure, while 35 percent say they're constant companions. On the flip side,
36 percent report their relationship is strictly business. While people are certainly not afraid to "commit," nearly one out of five feels it's time to break up. In fact, more women than men are dissatisfied with their phone and
want to call it quits.
After the Break-Up
When mending a broken heart after the break-up, finding new "love" is next on the agenda. People who are seeking relationships with new wireless phones are looking for long-term commitment, as 85 percent say they're hoping to find
tough and dependable phones. Seventy-four percent are seeking a phone companion that is plain and practical, 34 percent want their new phone to be cute and friendly, and 27 percent say sexy and sophisticated top their phone
trait wish lists.
About Siemens Information and Communication Mobile
The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for
wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based Services or Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2001 (September 30), IC Mobile recorded sales of euro 11.3 billion and employed 30,730 people worldwide. You can
access further information about Siemens IC Mobile on the Internet at my-siemens.com .
About Siemens
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. It employs 426,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of more than $84 billion in fiscal
2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02). The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with sales of more than $21 billion in fiscal 2002 and more than 74,000 employees in all 50 states. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S.
businesses are located in New York City. For more information: usa.siemens.com .
About the Siemens Survey
Siemens commissioned this survey in Nov. 2002 to determine consumers' relationships with and views regarding mobile phones. The survey, conducted by TeleNation, a service of Market Facts, on behalf of Siemens, polled a representative sample of 1,000 people aged 18 and older, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent. For the following questions, (Have you used a wireless phone during a shopping trip?; What best describes the look/personality of your current wireless phone?; What characteristics
attracted you to your current phone?; What best describes your relationship to your current phone?) a total of 647 respondents represented this subset sample. The margin of error for this subset is plus or minus 4 percent.
Any statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ from the forward-looking statements. Siemens AG undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Siemens is a trademark of Siemens AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
