Canadian Smartphone Use Blows Up

I’m visiting my parents in Manitoba this week, a couple of decidedly low-tech people. They have a computer (a Dell I bought for them four Christmases ago), a flat-screen TV (which I helped them set up when it came to getting HD channels) and a cell phone. I’d forgotten devices like these even existed.

Dad has a basic, basic, basic feature phone that’s used exclusively for–gasp!–making phone calls. No text, no data, no video. It has a camera but please don’t ask him to use it.

They’re not alone, of course, but they are now officially in the minority. According to a new survey, 56% of Canadians now use smartphones, up from just 33% in 2012. And there’s no reason to assume that the adoption rate won’t continue at this pace.

I’ve been watching the rise of smartphones since 2007 along with the consumer behaviours that go along with them. We’re quickly approaching the point of critical mass where we’ll begin to see people using these devices in ways we can’t predict.

I’m particularly interested in what this means for music consumption. Will we soon see an uptick in the use of streaming music services in this country? Stay tuned.