3 out of 5 consumers aged 40+ want a smartphone to better connect with family

Sixty percent of non-smartphone users aged 40-plus are considering or planning to purchase a smartphone in the future as they look for ways in which to stay better connected with their friends and family.

The desire for a smartphone has increased among baby boomers, who say owning their own smartphone would help them stay in contact via social networks and email.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they are already active on Facebook "and desire a smartphone that offers easy access to the Web for social networking purposes," said a study published by wireless provider Consumer Cellular in conjunction with telecommunications research firm Flying Coyotes.  

The most popular reasons baby boomers gave for wanting to own a smartphone included e-mail, location-based services, games, and using the phone's camera to snap pictures.

Financial apps, travel discounts and other cost-cutting coupons were also popular among the budget-conscious demographic.

According to the study, smartphones powered by Google's Android operating system are the most popular with current smartphone users in the 40+ age bracket.

Twenty-eight percent of smartphone owners surveyed said their device was powered by Android, 19 percent had a smartphone made by Apple and 15 percent said their current device was a BlackBerry.

A July 27 American Magazine Study by research firm Affinity suggested that baby boomers were leading the way in the adoption of the eReading platform while millennials were the most likely generation to purchase a smartphone.

Consumer Cellular’s study was conducted via email throughout the US from March 18-28 and the results were based on the responses of 2,037 cellphone users aged 40 and over.