Types of Mobile Phone Users vs. Apple's iOS 7

As many of you know, Apple has released it's most advanced operating system to date... iOS 7. It's arguably one of the best mobile operating systems available. But what exactly does this mean for the consumer? Anytime new technology comes out we always hear both ends of the spectrum that come from your die hard brand lovers or those who despise the brand. So I'm here to break it down and explain, in an educational manner, why it is that people will either like, dislike, or be indifferent. This post is designed to be more of a guide as to what iOS 7 can offer different mobile phone users.

There are several different reasons for people to use their mobile phones. It could be anything from using the power of what mobile technology has to offer, such as managing accounts, read daily news, sharing files, gaming, etc. Others simply just want to make phone calls. Some use mobile phones to take pictures or videos and edit them. While younger generations want to socialize with their peers by texting or using social media apps like Facebook or Twitter. 

In 2009, a market research firm, Experian Simmons, went so far as to conduct a "Mobile Consumer Segmentation study." Their findings suggested that there are primarily 5 different mobile phone users. Those groups are... Basic Planners, Pragmatic Adopters, Mobirati, Social Connectors, and Mobile Professionals. Even though I would have to agree with these groups, I think we could add some other minor groups in there because we all use phones for a variety of reasons. But I'm going to focus on these 5 and provide a little background information.

TYPES OF MOBILE PHONE USERS

1. Basic Planners (20%): Users who are only interested in using cell phones in emergencies and are confused by all the other plans and features. This group will most likely dislike the update because it changes what they had already become accustom to in the previous operating system.

2. Pragmatic Adopters (22%): Users that just get beyond using mobile phones solely for voice calls. This group will be a little less annoyed than the basic planners, but some of the new gestures may throw them off.

3. Mobirati (19%): Users consisting of the first generation to have grown up with mobile phones. This group will probably be indifferent because they have grown up with the advancements in mobile technology.

4. Social Connectors (22%): Users for whom the mobile phone is essentially a social lubricant, and for whom texting is just as important as a voice call. This group will most likely really enjoy the update because of the easy functionality of the social media apps. However, some may not enjoy it because it changes what they are use to with the previous version.

5. Mobile Professionals (17%): Use smartphones and haven’t got a problem with using more complex phones and their variegated features. Will probably be indifferent because they will find features they really like or features they think have made no difference.

CONCLUSION

Of course there are those groups that fit in between that may have issues and complaints or praise and love of the updates, but again you have to look at why these individuals are saying these things. Once that's determined then you can decide if their opinion will affect your use of the operating system. All I'm saying is before you jump to conclusions, do your homework and find out what features would work best for you. And do this for other products as well. Educating yourself can only make your decision process that much easier.



Sources:

http://www.apple.com/ios/

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/125113/#axzz2fOUccD7a