The smartphone market is evolving rapidly, irrespective of the well-known spread within the business sector. In recent years the average users tend to replace their traditional mobile phones, PDAs and Palms with smartphones. These devices have become a pervasive part of everyday life. Dealing with huge amounts of data, the mobile device's and application's demand for certain security standards cannot be underestimated. In recent studies the individual user's needs in terms of technical features, applications etc. have not been addressed and analyzed properly. To capture the problem in its full extent it is vital to understand the user's expectations. Besides, the usage patterns have to be described especially against the background of security aspects. As mentioned before, recent analyzes did not specifically ask what the user expects from a smartphone. Hence, the main objective of this work is to get a broad picture on how smartphones are used today and what users expect, taking into consideration security aspects..
An international web-based online survey was designed and performed to measure and analyze users' behaviour when using smartphones, with the aim of finding out what they want and expect from a smartphone. The main goals were to identify user needs in the context of smartphones, to analyze their knowledge and acquisition to security aspects and to get significant data about the user's behaviour.
The main findings of the survey are that on the one hand, most of the users want a smartphone to provide classic mobile phone features, such as performing phone calls, writing messages or storing contacts. On the other hand they want a smartphone to provide mobile internet access, navigation features, multimedia aspects, a comfortable usability and a good look and feel/design. The brand, price and battery performance plays a minor role for them. With respect to security aspects, most of the users have a good knowledge about security in general, pointing out that the security of the smartphone is a very important aspect for them. The obtained results can be provided as recommendations to smartphone vendors, application developers and carriers, who can use them in product portfolio management and product development
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Deutsche Zusammenfassung
- Smartphones and their Technical Features
- Smartphone Operating Systems
- Surveys and Online Surveys
- Existing Research
- History of Smartphones
- Problem Analysis
- Online Survey Design and Implementation
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusion and Outlook
- Acknowledgment
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this thesis is to gain a comprehensive understanding of current smartphone usage and user expectations, with a particular focus on security aspects. This was achieved through an international online survey designed to analyze user behavior, needs, and security knowledge concerning smartphones.
- Analysis of current smartphone usage patterns
- Identification of user needs and expectations regarding smartphone features
- Assessment of user knowledge and attitudes towards smartphone security
- Exploration of the differences between smartphone usage and traditional mobile phone usage
- Provision of recommendations for smartphone vendors, application developers, and carriers
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Abstract: This abstract introduces the rapid evolution of the smartphone market and its pervasive role in daily life. It highlights the lack of proper analysis of user needs and expectations, particularly concerning security. The study aims to address this gap by conducting a web-based survey to understand smartphone usage and user expectations, focusing on security aspects.
Deutsche Zusammenfassung: This section provides a German summary of the thesis, outlining its structure and methodology. It highlights the increasing importance of smartphones and the need to analyze user behavior, especially regarding security aspects. The thesis uses an internet-based online survey as its core approach to investigate user behavior, discussing the concepts, advantages, and disadvantages of online surveys.
Smartphones and their Technical Features: This chapter would delve into a detailed explanation of the technical specifications and functionalities of smartphones. It would likely cover various aspects such as hardware components (processors, memory, sensors), software features (operating systems, applications), and connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data). The chapter would analyze the technological advancements and the impact of these features on the user experience. It would lay the groundwork for understanding the technological landscape in which the survey was conducted.
Smartphone Operating Systems: This chapter would focus on the different operating systems available for smartphones. A comparative analysis of popular operating systems (e.g., iOS, Android) would be presented, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, user interfaces, app ecosystems, and security features. The aim would be to provide context for interpreting user responses concerning operating system preferences and experiences.
Surveys and Online Surveys: This chapter would provide an overview of survey methodologies, focusing specifically on online surveys. It would discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using online surveys for data collection, including considerations of sampling bias, response rates, and data quality. Various aspects of online survey design, implementation, and analysis would be addressed, providing a theoretical framework for the survey conducted in this thesis.
Existing Research: This chapter would review existing academic literature related to smartphone usage, user behavior, and security perceptions. The chapter would summarize key findings from previous studies, highlighting the gaps in existing research that the current study aims to address. It would contextualize the current research within the broader academic discourse on smartphone technology and its social impact.
History of Smartphones: This chapter would provide a historical overview of the development of smartphones, tracing their evolution from earlier mobile devices. The chapter would discuss key technological innovations and the changing user expectations and demands across different generations of smartphones. This historical perspective would provide valuable insights into the current state of smartphone usage and its potential future trajectories.
Problem Analysis: This chapter would define the research problem(s) addressed in the thesis. It would articulate the reasons behind the study’s importance, highlighting the knowledge gap in understanding smartphone user behavior, particularly concerning security. This section would justify the need for the online survey as a method of addressing these identified problems.
Online Survey Design and Implementation: This chapter would provide a detailed description of the design and implementation of the online survey. It would cover the survey methodology, questionnaire design, sampling techniques, data collection procedures, and any measures taken to ensure data quality and validity. This section would provide sufficient detail for readers to understand and potentially replicate the research methodology.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Smartphones, user behavior, security, online survey, mobile internet, user needs, expectations, application usage, mobile phone features, multimedia, navigation, usability, design, brand, battery performance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview of Smartphone Usage and User Expectations
What is the main objective of this thesis?
The main objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of current smartphone usage and user expectations, focusing particularly on security aspects. This was achieved through an international online survey designed to analyze user behavior, needs, and security knowledge concerning smartphones.
What are the key themes explored in this thesis?
Key themes include analysis of current smartphone usage patterns, identification of user needs and expectations regarding smartphone features, assessment of user knowledge and attitudes towards smartphone security, exploration of differences between smartphone and traditional mobile phone usage, and provision of recommendations for smartphone vendors, application developers, and carriers.
What methodology was used to collect data?
An international online survey was used as the primary data collection method. The thesis details the design and implementation of this survey, including methodology, questionnaire design, sampling techniques, and data quality measures.
What topics are covered in the chapter summaries?
Chapter summaries cover the abstract, a German summary (Deutsche Zusammenfassung), smartphones and their technical features, smartphone operating systems, surveys and online surveys, existing research, the history of smartphones, problem analysis, online survey design and implementation, results and discussion, conclusion and outlook, and acknowledgments.
What are the key technical aspects of smartphones discussed?
The thesis discusses hardware components (processors, memory, sensors), software features (operating systems, applications), and connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data). A comparative analysis of popular operating systems (iOS, Android) is also included.
What is the significance of the chapter on "Surveys and Online Surveys"?
This chapter provides a theoretical framework for the study's methodology, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of online surveys, including sampling bias, response rates, and data quality. It also addresses aspects of online survey design, implementation, and analysis.
How does the thesis address existing research?
A chapter dedicated to "Existing Research" reviews relevant academic literature on smartphone usage, user behavior, and security perceptions. It summarizes key findings from previous studies and highlights the gaps in research that this study aims to address.
What is the historical context provided in the thesis?
A chapter on the "History of Smartphones" traces the evolution of smartphones from earlier mobile devices, discussing key technological innovations and the changing user expectations and demands across different generations.
What keywords are associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Smartphones, user behavior, security, online survey, mobile internet, user needs, expectations, application usage, mobile phone features, multimedia, navigation, usability, design, brand, battery performance.
What is the purpose of the German summary ("Deutsche Zusammenfassung")?
This section provides a summary of the thesis in German, outlining its structure and methodology and highlighting the increasing importance of smartphones and the need to analyze user behavior, especially regarding security.
What is the overall conclusion and outlook of the thesis?
While the provided text does not include the complete conclusion and outlook, the chapter summaries indicate that this section will discuss the findings of the study and their implications for the future of smartphone technology and usage.
- Quote paper
- Tobias Himmelsbach (Author), 2011, A Survey on Today's Smartphone Usage, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/192504
