Smartphone owners using seven apps each day

iPhone and Android G1 owners have downloaded an average of 23.6 mobile applications to their smartphones and use an average of 6.8 apps each day according to a new consumer study conducted by creative consulting firm Gravity Tank. After surveying more than 1,000 iPhone and Android users, Gravity Tank reports that 48 percent of smartphone owners shop for new applications more than once a week, and 49 percent say they use mobile apps for more than 30 minutes a day. That half an hour comes at the expense of more traditional technologies and media channels--32 percent of respondents said they now use their portable gaming devices less because they play mobile games instead, 31 percent said they read newspapers less, 28 percent use GPS devices less, another 28 percent use their MP3 players less and 24 percent are viewing less television.

Despite the popularity of mobile apps, other factors are still more decisive in determining consumers' handset purchases. Seventy-four percent of respondents told Gravity Tank they selected their iPhone or G1 because the device allowed them to check their e-mail and calendar--another 74 percent responded the phone enabled them to consolidate multiple devices into one product. Only 67 percent cited the availability of new apps and games, about as many as pointed to improved handset screens.

For more on the Gravity Tank study:
- read this New York Times article

Related articles:
Study: Half of U.S. subscribers access mobile content each week
Study: Users want practical mobile applications