Gender as a Distinguishing Cell Phone Usage Characteristic Neset Pirkul, Matt Lauria, and Peter Yates

Introduction Cellular Phones have become a necessary accessory among college students. Cellular Phones have become a necessary accessory among college students. As new technologies emerge, the functionality of cell phones has expanded beyond just a tool for conversation. As new technologies emerge, the functionality of cell phones has expanded beyond just a tool for conversation. Competitive businesses must be aware of how people use their cellular phones. Competitive businesses must be aware of how people use their cellular phones.

Hypothesis Gender plays a key role in how individuals interact with their cell phones. Gender plays a key role in how individuals interact with their cell phones. Cooper and Weaver (2003) suggests that men are more comfortable using computers than women. Cooper and Weaver (2003) suggests that men are more comfortable using computers than women. We expand this concept to how men and women interact with their cell phones. We expand this concept to how men and women interact with their cell phones.

Hypothesis, Cont’d. Our prediction is that men, due to their lower anxiety levels about using technology, will utilize more of the advanced features offered by today’s cellular phones. Our prediction is that men, due to their lower anxiety levels about using technology, will utilize more of the advanced features offered by today’s cellular phones. However, we also predict that the technology that women will use corresponds to their computer usage preferences (i.e. frequent, personal feedback, and the use of words) However, we also predict that the technology that women will use corresponds to their computer usage preferences (i.e. frequent, personal feedback, and the use of words)

Description of Survey Our survey consists of 14 questions intended to determine the subject’s usage frequency of specific cell phone functions. Our survey consists of 14 questions intended to determine the subject’s usage frequency of specific cell phone functions. Yes/No questions were converted to binary (1/0) Yes/No questions were converted to binary (1/0) Other questions were based on a 5-point scale Other questions were based on a 5-point scale 1-Never 2-Rarely 3-Sometimes 4-Regularly 5-Majority of the time

How often do you use the speed/voice dial function of your phone?

How often do you carry your cell phone with you?

Does your cell phone have a camera feature?

If so, how often do you use your camera to take pictures?

How often do you use your cell phone to browse the web or check ?

How often do you play video games on your cell phone?

How often do you text message on your cell phone?

How often do you download ring tones for your phone?

How often do you use the calendar / organizer functions of your cell phone?

Do you know the make and model of your cell phone?

Have you upgraded your phone cosmetically since you bought it?

Approximately how many contacts do you have stored in your phone?

On average, how much time do you spend talking on your cell phone each day?

Conclusions Our conclusions were in line with our hypothesis: Our conclusions were in line with our hypothesis: –Females use their cell phones more for communication (talking and text messaging) –Males tend to use the technologically advanced features of their phones, such as playing games and using the organizer, more than females

Top 10 Distinguishing Questions in Order of Significance 1. Does your cell phone have a camera? (Men) 1. Does your cell phone have a camera? (Men) 2. Do you know the make/model of your phone? (Men) 2. Do you know the make/model of your phone? (Men) 3. How often do you play video games on your phone? (Men) 3. How often do you play video games on your phone? (Men) 4. How often do you use the camera to take pictures? (Men) 4. How often do you use the camera to take pictures? (Men) 5. How often do you text message on your cell phone? (Women) 5. How often do you text message on your cell phone? (Women)

Top Ten List, cont’d. 6. How often do you carry your cell phone with you? (Men) 6. How often do you carry your cell phone with you? (Men) 7. Have you upgraded your cell phone cosmetically? (Women) 7. Have you upgraded your cell phone cosmetically? (Women) 8. How often do you use the calendar/organizer functions of your phone? (Men) 8. How often do you use the calendar/organizer functions of your phone? (Men) 9. How often do you download ring tones? (Men) 9. How often do you download ring tones? (Men) 10. On average, about how much time do you spend talking on your cell phone each day? (Women) 10. On average, about how much time do you spend talking on your cell phone each day? (Women)