Americans can't live without mobile services

Americans are now more reliant on their mobile phones than their landline phones according to a new study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. When the research firm mounted a similar study two years earlier, respondents still cited landline phones as the more essential technology. "The preferences have flipped," said Pew Research associate director John Horrigan. "During that timeframe, people have gotten new devices that have more capabilities. People have more experience using cell phones for text messaging and other information tools. That has helped pushed cell phones as 'go to' devices." Mobile handsets are now the technological tool Americans would be most reluctant to give up, surpassing the Internet and television; two years ago, landlines topped the Pew Research list, with television in second place and cell phones in third.

According to Pew Research, 58 percent of mobile users have now sent or received text messages, a 41 percent increase over April 2006 totals; on an average day, 31 percent of mobile subscribers employ text services and 15 percent turn to camera features, with about 8 percent playing mobile games. Another 8 percent rely on their phones for email.

For more on the Pew Research study:
- read this Associated Press

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