It’s almost a given that Indians love their TV. In fact in most household’s the topography of the living room is decided according to the placement of the television set. Every piece of furniture points towards this holy tech deity of sorts. But not anymore. A Google – IPSOS report shows that over 40 percent smartphone owners would rather give up their TV than their smartphones!
India is not only competing, but leading the race in adopting smartphones, over televisions, for entertainment purposes. While calling, texting, and emailing are now standard activities on any smartphone, smartphone users in India are ready to do more on these powerful devices.
The survey, conducted across 40 nations, shows that in comparison to mature smartphone markets including the US, UK and Germany where less than 27 percent people are willing to give up the time they spend watching television for smartphones, in India, a whopping 49 percent smartphone owners are ready to give up the TV rather than their phones.
Among other things the study also showcases that 56% of Indians find their smartphones more entertaining than the television. In comparison, countries like the US (21 percent) and the UK (18 percent), or even neighbouring nations come nowhere close to India’s enthusiasm.
Furthermore the gender specific details of the report are even more astonishing. One would typically imagine women to be fonder of their soaps and TV serials, right? While the overall penetration of smartphones is higher amongst males in India, it is women who are leading the usage of smartphones over TV sets.
The usage and loyalty behavior of the users revealed that 58 percent women found their smartphones more entertaining than the television. But do not be mistaken! They are not just watching shows online to entertain themselves; rather, they are using smartphones to find information on where to hang out with friends, connect with them over social networks, and shop online. Indian smartphone owners in the male category, are not far behind when it comes to using the smartphone over the television; but more than 55 percent of them are glued to watching videos on their devices. We can only guess what those videos might be. And now the bigger question – would your furniture now point towards a smartphone?