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Consumer Demand for Speech Solutions on Mobile Phones - Survey Results

Nuance recently conducted an independent survey to assess the attitude, usage, and perceived value of speech-activated solutions for mobile phones. The survey included various profiling questions about mobile phone usage:

Respondents were also asked to rate three concept descriptions for potential mobile phone services:

  • Speech-enabled MP3 Player
    Speech-enabled MP3 players for mobile phones allow the user to select a song or album by simply saying the title (or part of the title) of the song, album or name of play list.
  • Driver Mode
    With the Driver Mode functionality a user can make outgoing calls and monitor incoming calls and messages in a completely eyes-free mode while remaining focused on the road.
  • Mobile Dictation
    Mobile dictation functionality allows the user to enter text for an SMS or an email by simply dictating the message to the device in a natural way without the need to pause between words.

These ratings included both service appeal and likelihood to use the service. Survey respondents then rated individual features of each service.

The survey demonstrated a clear interest from end-users for applications that simplify access to functionality on the phone and enhance productivity while increasing safety. Consumers are demanding increased hands-free and eyes-free access to mobile phones for increased convenience and safety. These requirements are more important than ever as mobile phones are increasingly used for messaging, email, and Web browsing.

Chart 1 - Survey Methodology and Audience Demographics

Two identical online surveys were fielded concurrently by an independent market researcher from September 27 - October 4, 2005. Respondents were screened based on ownership of an Internet-capable mobile phone.

  • Geographical focus
    • UK (805 respondents)
    • US (837 respondents)
  • Demographic focus:
    • Age 13+
    • Gender targeted at a 50/50 male/female split

Chart 1 - Audience Demographics

Chart 2 - Mobile Phone Usage

Q. How many minutes do you typically use on your mobile phone during an average month?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 2 - Mobile Phone Usage

Chart 3 - Mobile Phone Feature Usage

Q. How often do you use each of the following on your mobile phone?

Base: Total Sample, Excludes features not available
% Use about once a week or more
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=834)

Chart 3 - Mobile Phone Feature Usage

UK respondents expressed an overwhelming response for text messaging: over 90% of respondents use SMS at least once a week. Of this number, 72% use it every day and 94% in the 18-24 age group use it every day. Top features for US respondents include built-in speakerphone and one-touch/speed dialing.

Chart 4 - Voice-Activated Dialing

Q. How helpful is the voice-activated dialing feature on your mobile phone?

Base: Those using voice-activated dialing
(U.K. n=243, U.S. n=324)

Chart 4 - Voice-Activated Dialing

Chart 5 - Mobile Phone Use While Driving

Q. How often do you use your mobile phone while driving?

Base: Drive a car
(U.K. n=520, U.S. n=681)

Chart 5 - Mobile Phone Use While Driving

Chart 6

Q. Please select all of the words or phrases below that best describe why you don't use your mobile phone often while driving:

Base: Those who rarely/never use their mobile phone while driving
(U.K. n=400, U.S. n=277)

Chart 6

Chart 7 and 8 - Speech-Enabled MP3 Player

"Speech-enabled MP3 players for mobile phones allow the user to select a song or album by simply saying the title (or part of the title) of the song, album or name of play list."

Key features:

  • Switch to a song, an artist or play list easily just by saying its name
  • Control your MP3 player by voice


Q. If the service described previously was available for your mobile phone, how likely would you be to use this feature?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 7 - Speech-Enabled MP3 Player

Most likely to use Speech-Enabled MP3 Players:

  • Age 13 to 17: 74% "Very/Somewhat Likely" to use
  • MP3 owners: 56% "Very/Somewhat Likely" to use
  • VAD users: 51% "Very/Somewhat Likely" to use
  • Drivers: 42% "Very/Somewhat Likely" to use


Q. Please rate how appealing or unappealing you feel each of the following features are for this service.

Base: Total Respondents
% Very Appealing
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 8 - Speech-Enabled MP3 Player

Chart 9 and 10 - Driver Mode

"With the Driver Mode functionality a user can make outgoing calls and monitor incoming calls and messages in a completely eyes-free mode while remaining focused on the road."

Key features:

  • Names of callers are announced, incoming SMS messages are read
  • User can make calls by saying name or phone number


Q. If the service described previously was available for your mobile phone, how likely would you be to use this feature?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 9 - Driver Mode

Q. Please rate how appealing or unappealing you feel each of the following features are for this service.

Base: Total Respondents
% Very Appealing
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 10 - Driver Mode

Safety is the key word, judging by top-rated features/statements:

"This service would make driving safer while using my mobile phone" 75% of total base "agree strongly/somewhat" with this statement. 93% of respondents who drive and use the phone "agree strongly / somewhat" with this statement.

"Drive more safely by keeping eyes on the road when using phone" (84% of total base find this feature very/somewhat appealing)

Chart 11, 12, 13 and 14 - Mobile Dictation

"Mobile dictation functionality allows the user to enter text for a SMS or an email by simply dictating the message to the device in a natural way without the need to pause between words."

Key features:

  • Enter text quickly - around 4x times faster than mobile keyboards
  • Intuitive correction interface


Q. If the service described previously was available for your mobile phone, how likely would you be to use this feature?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 11 - Mobile Dictation

Q. Please rate how appealing or unappealing you feel each of the following features are for this service.

Base: Total Respondents
% Very Appealing
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 12 - Mobile Dictation

Q. Overall how appealing or unappealing is the mobile phone service described?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 13 - Mobile Dictation

Q. If the service described previously were available for your mobile phone, how likely would you be to use this feature?

Base: Total Respondents
(U.K. n=805, U.S. n=837)

Chart 14 - Mobile Dictation

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