Why smartphones are useful

In seven of these countries, half or more now use smartphones — and smartphone use is especially common among younger and more educated groups.

Meanwhile, access to tablets or computers is rarer. Ownership is lowest in Venezuela, India and the Philippines, but even in these countries about seven-in-ten adults own a mobile device. Sharing tends to be more common among adults with lower levels of education.

Across these 11 countries, mobile phone ownership as distinct from phone sharing tends to vary by several demographic traits, including educational attainment, gender and age. In all countries surveyed, adults with a secondary education or higher are more likely to own their own mobile phone than are those with less than a secondary education.

These educational gaps in ownership range from just 3 percentage points in Vietnam to 35 points in the Philippines. Majorities of both men and women own mobile phones in all of the countries surveyed. Outside of India — where men are 28 percentage points more likely than women to own a mobile phone — gender gaps in ownership in other countries are either relatively modest such as the 8-point differences in Kenya and Lebanon or nonexistent, as in the case of Vietnam and the Philippines.

Most of those ages 18 to 29 report owning their own mobile phone in almost all countries surveyed. A majority of those 50 and older also report owning a mobile phone in most of the 11 countries surveyed.

Overall, younger people are more likely than older adults to own a phone in the Philippines 41 percentage points , Lebanon 27 points , India 25 points and Mexico 24 points.

For more on how phone ownership and use varies by age, gender or education levels, see Appendix C. Some general features and capabilities can help distinguish between the three broad types of mobile phones:. Respondents to this survey were asked a series of questions to determine the type of mobile device they own or share with someone else.

Those who indicated that their phone is a smartphone are classified as smartphone users. Those who said their mobile phone can connect to the internet — but that it is not a smartphone — are categorized as feature phone users.

And those who said their phone is not a smartphone and cannot access the internet are considered to have a basic phone. Responses to each of these individual questions can be found in the topline and more information on the combined measures can be found in Appendix B. Basic and feature phones are less popular overall, but some countries stand out for their high usage of these less digitally connected phones.

But feature phones — which offer some of the same features as smartphones, but typically cannot support apps — are popular in Mexico, where one-third of adults say they use this type of device. Younger adults lead the way in smartphone use in each of the countries surveyed. Across all 11 countries, those under 30 are much more likely to use a smartphone than those ages 50 and older.

Lebanon and Jordan — where smartphones are widespread — stand out for being the only countries where a majority of adults ages 50 and older also report using smartphones. Still, older Lebanese and Jordanian adults are far less likely than their younger counterparts to use a smartphone. Walking home, alone, at night, through a bad part of town is not nearly as dangerous as it was 10 years ago, thanks to the tracking device you always carry with you.

For extra protection, personal safety apps like bSafe have additional features, such as a "Follow Me" live GPS trace so your friends can make sure you get home safely, and an automatic alarm that triggers if you fail to check in at a specified time. But scientists have discovered that these sensitive accelerometers can also accurately detect earthquakes of magnitudes greater than 5 when located near the epicenter.

In other words, smartphones could soon replace traditional seismometer networks. According to the company, 2. Apps like Doctor on Demand bring qualified doctors right to your smartphone screen, even if you're holed up in your bedroom with a bucket of chicken soup. But smartphone convenience is not just for you: Harvard prof George Whitesides has developed a paper chip that, when dabbed with blood, creates a colorful pattern that diagnoses diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.

The chip displays its results visually so that a doctor viewing it on a mobile device can make a diagnosis. Smartphones are everywhere, and that's a good thing in an emergency. Authorities can tap into the network to issue alerts, such as severe weather alerts or Amber Alerts kidnapping. Podcasts are becoming highly popular in sharing ideas, information and stories to interest and inform others. You can find podcasts on practically any topic. Especially in online programs, you may need to record yourself doing a presentation for an assignment.

With your smartphone, you can record quality video quickly and easily and submit your video presentation in no time. While a sturdy paper calendar has its benefits, keeping your calendar on your phone allows you to always be aware of upcoming assignments, appointments, meetings and other events.

If you get your books electronically, you can easily take your reading with you wherever you go. With the Kindle or other eBook apps, you can catch up or get ahead on your reading for class or just read a book for fun. If you still prefer the traditional printed textbook, you can still use a combination of both printed and ebook varieties to suit your preferences.

Audiobooks have also greatly grown in popularity. According to a study by Pew Research , almost one out of five Americans listen to audiobooks. While this study also shows that traditional printed books are still the most widely read, it also notes that there is increasing diversity in the medium used in reading or listening to books.

At Cornerstone, you have access to chat with a librarian via email, phone or text. With just a few taps of your finger on your smartphone, you can get your questions answered and get on your way to writing an excellent research assignment.

Do you have trouble staying focused on an assignment, whether it be for work, school or home? Your smartphone can help you stay on task by using the stopwatch feature.

When the timer goes off, you can take a break or switch to something else. In such cases, a smartphone comes in handy as one of its main functions is for communication! At Cornerstone, our team of faculty is committed to assisting you and being available to you so that you can succeed.

And a smartphone can also help you practice being a lifelong learner by assisting you in your work, assignments and enhancing communication. See what practices you can start today to use your smartphone for more than intense games of Solitaire. With degree programs available fully online, you can engage in curriculum from your smartphone, tablet or laptop as well.

Discover a program format that meets you where you are. Learn more about our adult programs. Learn more about our graduate programs. Ellie Walburg B. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below or explore campus with a virtual tour. Explore Undergraduate. Explore Admissions Plan a Visit. Learn More Plan a Visit. Learn More. Explore Adult. Academics Apply what you learn in the classroom to your current or aspired career with practical curriculum anchored in Christian virtues.

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