Good Question: Is A Phone Just A Phone Anymore?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In 2013, 91 percent of us own some sort of cell phone. Fifty-six percent own a smart phone.
"I use it for everything – email, phone calls, internet tweeting," said Justin Bowen.
It wasn't until 2007 that we saw what's now considered the first smartphone – the iPhone. The iPhone 5 is now the top selling phone in US, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S III.
The average length of a cell phone call has shortened significantly. In 2012, it was 1 minute, 48 seconds compared to 3 minutes, 8 seconds in 2007.
"I use my phone to make calls, as a secondary purpose," said Rick Schultz of Eagan.
In 2008, the U.S. crossed a threshold. Americans had more text messages than cell phone calls.
According to the Pew Research Center, 82 percent of cell phone users used their phone to take pictures, 80 percent to text, 56 percent to get Internet access and 50 percent to email.
The researchers did find significant differences when it comes to age. Only 18 percent of people 65 or older have a smartphone, but of the ones that do 44 percent use them to take pictures.
