Consumers Increasingly Rely on Cloud-Based Services to Perform Everyday Tasks: Survey

A recent research study from Ericsson (News - Alert) ConsumerLab finds that the ability to stay constantly connected to the Internet is making consumers increasingly dependent on the cloud for their daily needs.

While this trend may have started with smartphone revolution, it is app usage that is likely to make it continue, according to Ericsson ConsumerLab research. This is because smartphone apps are shaping the way people are using connected devices.

The survey conducted on users of portable storage devices found that behavior around apps is also creating a new set of expectations when it comes to connecting consumer electronic devices. It finds that devices must be connected if they are to be useful. The research was conducted in a number of locations, including the U.S., parts of Europe and Japan.

Ericsson ConsumerLab’s research finds that consumers today depend less on the devices they use, and more on the apps that help them. They use the apps not only to connect to news or social-media sites, but also to find a place to eat, organize their family schedules and other everyday activities.

The app culture, according to Ericsson ConsumerLab, is turning into a new way of living. Ericsson ConsumerLab’s research also found that this app culture is easily transferable between mobile devices – people are using apps on tablets in much the same way as they do on smartphones. The context and situation, not the device, determine how the consumer uses the app.

Ericsson ConsumerLab studies also reveal that regardless of the device they are using, people are increasingly discovering how difficult it is when they are not continuously connected to the cloud.

Fifty four percent of U.S. users of portable storage devices said that they wanted to be able to synchronize these with their home PC files from anywhere while 49 percent of camera owners in the sample wanted direct access to secure online storage for their photos.

“Our research found apps are appealing to people at an emotional level,” said Michael Björn, head of Research at Ericsson ConsumerLab, in a statement. “Consumers become attached to a certain set of apps that makes them feel more in control of their lives, and turns everyday chores into positive experiences.”

Björn added that apps even give consumers a new sense of freedom. “If a new situation arises, there’s probably an app out there that could help them.”

The survey found that consumers are increasingly connecting to the Internet via their smartphones before they even get out of bed. According to the survey, 35 percent of U.S. Android and iPhone (News - Alert) users said that they interacted with such non-voice apps as Facebook on their smartphones before rising. The ability to access Internet enables them to utilize an increasing number of cloud-based services to perform everyday tasks.

Ericsson ConsumerLab’s research findings were presented at Ericsson Business Innovation Forum in Silicon Valley on May 11.

Earlier in March, Ericsson announced it has completed the asset purchase agreement to acquire Nortel's Multiservice Switch business. With the acquisition, Ericsson will gain access to Nortel’s (News - Alert) switch product portfolio and installed base in the data segment.

Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves

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