T O
A
?
P
P
M a k i n g th e M os t o f M o b i le tec h n o lo gy
or Not
By Tasha Beauchamp, MSc
There is no doubt that
smartphones and tablets are
revolutionizing the way we
do business. With a computer
in your pocket, you can now
access the Internet anytime from
anywhere. What's not to love?
But amid the hype and excitement
of the "next big thing," many
hospices are spending a lot of
marketing money to create an
app without first considering
important communication basics:
Who are the primary users
of mobile?
What makes mobile devices
different from a desktop
computer?
How are mobile devices used
most?
What do you want users to do
when they connect with you
via mobile?
This article helps you answer
these questions. It also offers
guidance for HIPAA screening of
vendors and making the decision
between a native app or Web app.
18
NHPCO National Center NewsLine | Fall 2014
Who is Using Mobile
Pew Internet and American Life
inarguably supplies the best data
anywhere on the usage patterns
and demographics of adults in
the U.S.1
* 90% own a cell phone
* 58% own a smartphone
* 42% own a tablet
A Closer Look at
Smartphone Users
As with many innovations,
adoption of smartphones is
strongly influenced by age:
* 83% are 18 to 29 years old
* 74% are 30 to 49 years old
* 49% are 50 to 64 years old
* 19% are 65 or older
Education level is a powerful
factor in smartphone ownership
as well:
* 71% are college graduates
* 67% have some college
education
* 44% have no college
education
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Fall 2014