A survey from online wireless retailer LetsTalk found that over 83 percent of music phone purchasers are over the age of 25, and that 55 percent of those 35 and older listen to music on their cell phones.
The music option on cell phones has gained in popularity with users of all ages with 63 percent of multimedia cell phone users having listened to music on their phones. More than 50 percent have downloaded 20 or more songs, and 89 percent have downloaded four songs or more to their phones.
Music phone users have a variety of choices for buying and downloading music to their cell phones but only 14 percent download directly from their carrier. Sixty-seven percent said they had used a computer to transfer music files to their cell phones from CDs or the Internet.
“Our survey results indicate that consumers are listening to music from their own collection, so virtually any music phone can meet their needs” said Delly Tamer, CEO of LetsTalk. “Customers are making the most of their music phones with cables and memory cards. The industry needs to offer customers a more compelling reason to download songs directly and easily to their cell phones — better prices, easier navigation, faster speeds, exclusive songs, or all of the above.”
When questioned about their interest in Apple’s iPhone consumers had mixed feelings. Eighteen percent said they plan to buy the iPhone when it becomes available this summer while 52 percent said they did not have plans to buy the iPhone and another 31 percent where “not sure”.
Tamer adds, “Given the suggested price of the iPhone and that it’s the first cell phone from Apple, 48 percent of consumers expressing interest in purchasing this product when it becomes available is impressive. We also believe that this number will likely grow larger as Apple continues to emphasize the many exciting user interface innovations it offers; to be seen primarily as an upgraded music phone would not do full justice to the power of this new device.”
