Monday, March 1, 2010

1 in 4 Americans Get News Via Cell Phone

According to a new report by the Pew Research Center, the way Americans get the news is changing. And while the weather is the top concern, people are using their cell phones for news information as well. (Here's a quick summary of the report.)

I'm actually surprised the numbers aren't higher since many, if not most newspaper, radio, and television Web sites utilize technology that allows users to receive breaking news updates via their cell phones. I expect it's just a matter of time before more individuals take advantage of the available technology.

6 comments:

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  2. Kudos Tracy on posting this recent news story! I was just reading the same article yesterday, Sunday, on the NPR Web site.
    NPR Web site

    Sadly my older mobile does not access the Web too well; however, daily I access loads of news information with my iPod Touch, it's a mobile device. If I cannot find it on Digg, reddit or NYT I have countless apps to access a plethora of information.

    Pocatello's Channel 8 has realized the potential of this and has a free app on the iTunes store for iPod/iPhone owners. (What about Droid owners?) If I heard Mark correctly, from Channel is able to push breaking news stories to people's phones. I wonder what the next ten years will bring?

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  3. Thanks, Tracy for good posting.
    The latest Pew report found three major aspects of new participatory media landscape: portable, personalized, and participatory.

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  4. I think this is just a matter of better technology being developed. I can access the news on my phone but the interface and on screen organization is a bit awkward so I don't use it as often.

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  5. Local television is primed for a major comeback in the next couple of years. The digital transition was costly but now stations are starting to see a return on their investments.

    http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123946&nid=112044

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  6. I have to disagree with Dr. Phil Good, I think more and more local news will be cut due to the technology that has improved television. The local news will be cut back to the point that there might only be one maybe two newscast for a individual station. The cost of new equipment ( cameras, wages, etc) will not be covered by the lost of advertising and viewership. More and more people who have smart phones and Ipods will rely on them for their information. Especially in a market like Pocatello I see some stations news going the way of the news paper. Smaller and less. Sorry Phil I like local news but its getting to expensive...

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