Of the many things smartphones can do, one thing they do best is give users access to rich media content from virtually anywhere in the world – provided the carrier offers sufficient service. The vast majority of pocket-sized computers are fitted with large, widescreen displays, perfectly suited for watching videos and browsing the Web.
A recent study performed by Tremor Video, an online video tech company, and consulting firm Frank N. Magid Associates, more smartphone users are watching significantly more video content from their smartphones. In fact, over the last year, there has been a 38 percent increase in people accessing video content online overall and a 34 percent increase in accessing videos via smartphones.
Other than that, the study only confirmed much of what we already know: people are using their smartphones more like televisions. Over half (52 percent) of smartphone videos are watched at home. And each week, a whopping 29 million people watch video from their smartphone; the average person watches five hours of video from their smartphone; just shy of 40 percent (2.1 hours) of smartphone video watched is long-form; and peak viewing hours are between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
This growing mobile trend has its consequences, though, for both content owners and content providers. Anna Heim of The Next Web explains:
"As video consumption grows, it could also have a negative impact on pay TV, as people are increasingly tempted to ‘cut the cord’. According to Tremor Video and Magid, 8% of current mobile/connected TV viewers plan to cancel their pay TV service in the next year, and another 23% are seriously considering cancelling, with 81% saying online over-the-top video options are the primary reason."
Of those who watch video via smartphone, 74 percent watch free, ad-supported video 53 percent pay a "modest subscription" to watch all video content and only 10 percent pay to rent or buy specific television shows or movies titles.
But the study isn't all bad news for content providers. The study found that many mobile television viewers watch more TV, and they generally use their smartphones and/or tablets while watching TV. This could undoubtedly be used to their advantage and bring an entirely new video watching experience in the not too distant future.
In a nutshell, the study found that people are increasingly device-agnostic, watch video mostly from home, sometimes use two devices at once and prefer free, ad-supported content.
So I'm curious, readers. How do you take your video? Mobile? At home via smartphone? Tablet? PC?
Personally, for a short video, I have no problem using one of my smartphones. A lot of the YouTube videos I watch are consumed from my smartphone. The 4.7-inch 720p display on the HTC One X is quite literally perfect for video on the go. While I do quite a bit of YouTubing from my smartphone, though, I would estimate 80 percent of all video I stream (not including Netflix via PS3 to my television) is consumed from tablets. If I'm out and not around Wi-Fi, I will save the video to Pocket, turn on the hotspot feature on my phone and watch the video via iPad. But the 5GB data cap I have is pretty easy to hit, so I try to keep all video to Wi-Fi if possible. And I hardly ever watch long-form content from anything other than the comfort of my recliner and big screen television.
All of that said, I would guess I don't usually watch more than four hours of video each week. On occasion I will. But most of the time I keep video to a minimum.
What about you, ladies and gents? Do you watch a lot of video from your smartphone? Tablet? Or do you still rely on your trusty PC for your video watching pleasure? Sound off in the comments below and share how your usage compares to the study.
