Move Over for My Smartphone, Honey

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Mobile users are so tethered to personal device assistants (PDAs) such as smartphones and portable computers that they’re taking them to bed with them. More than a few would actually kick a spouse from the marital bed in order to make room for a PDA, a new study suggests.

The PDA use statistics are from a new work-life study commissioned by Sheraton Hotels and Resorts released this week. According to the results, 87 percent of U.S. professionals bring a PDA into the bedroom to get some last-minute peeks at before going to sleep. More than one-third, 35 percent, said they would pick their PDA over their spouse.

What that says about the state of marital bliss obviously falls into relationship counselor territory, but on the mobile technology side the new statistics on PDA use illustrate that the capability to be connected is more than blurring the line between the work day ends and personal time.

Such connectivity addiction bodes well for handset makers and wireless carriers seeking greater market share and traction in an ever-competitive industry.

A recent Gartner study reported that smartphones sales hit 32.3 million units in the second quarter of 2008 — a 15. 7 percent jump over the second quarter of 2007. According to CTIA, a wireless association, data service revenues for the first half of this year hit $14.8 billion, representing a 40 percent jump compared with the first half of 2007 when revenues totaled $10.5 billion. Greater device use will likely pump those numbers up by year’s end.

There were 262 million US wireless subscribers as of this June, according to the CTIA. Many, according to the Sheraton study, are busy with wireless devices these days.

The PDA survey revealed that 85 percent of those polled feel compelled to be connected to work 24×7, and 81 percent report working harder than they did five years ago. More than a majority, 84 percent, log onto mobile devices before going to bed and as soon as they wake up. Even more, 85 percent, also check for messages in the middle of the night.

This article was first published on InternetNews.com.