The percentage of US mobile subscribers engaging in a variety of smartphone-based activities including downloading apps and social networking increased from the three-month period ended March 2011 and the three-month period ended June 2011, according to comScore MobiLens data. Mobile access of social networks/blogs grew most dramatically, 6.5%, from 27.3% to 29.1%.
Following closely behind, use of downloaded apps grew about 6%, from 37.3% to 39.5%. Listening to mobile music also grew about 6%, from 17.9% to 19%. Meanwhile, playing mobile games increased about 5%, from 25.7% to 26.9%, and mobile browser use climbed 4%, from 38.6% to 40.1.%. Furthermore, texting increased about 1%, from 68.6% to 69.6%.
Samsung, LG Extend OEM Lead
For the three month average period ending in June, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.3% of US mobile subscribers (up 3%), followed by LG with 21.3% share (up 2%) and Motorola with 14.5% share (down 8%).
In addition, Apple strengthened its position at #4 with 8.9% share of mobile subscribers (up 13%), while RIM rounded out the top five with 7.9% share (down 6%).
Google Builds on Smartphone Platform Position
comScore data shows 78.5 million people in the US owned smartphones during the three months ending in June 2011. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 40.1% market share, up 15.5%. Apple strengthened its #2 position with 26.6% of the smartphone market, up 4% from the prior reporting period. RIM ranked third with 23.4% share (down 14%), followed by Microsoft (5.8%, down 23%) and Symbian (2%, down 13%).
Mobile Activity Growth Continues from May
The frequency of mobile social networking among US mobile subscribers grew about 7% between the three-month period ended February 2011 (26.8%) and the three-month period ended May 2011 (28.6%), according to previous comScore MobiLens data. This built on 10% growth in mobile social networking observed by comScore between January and April 2011.
Mobile games also continued a three-month growth trend started in April 2011, when the frequency of mobile game usage rose about 10%. In April 2011, 26.9% of mobile subscribers played mobile games, up 9% from 24.6% three months earlier. In May, this activity grew another 7% in popularity.
Other mobile activities with a notable uptick in activity between February and May 2011 include listening to music (6%) and using downloaded apps (up 5%).
About the Data: MobiLens data is derived from an intelligent online survey of a nationally representative sample of mobile subscribers age 13 and above. Data on mobile phone usage refers to a respondent’s primary mobile phone and does not include data related to a respondent’s secondary device.