Recent research conducted by Irish Life has shown that nearly all Irish adults (90 per cent ) own a smartphone.
The research revealed that the top three things Irish people use their phones for are checking emails (87 per cent ), social media (71 per cent ), and news/weather (67 per cent ).
Other uses for the smartphone include online banking (50 per cent ), shopping online (42 per cent ), and paying bills (32 per cent ).
The research also found that Irish people mostly check their phones when they have a spare minute throughout the day. For others, checking their mobile has turned into a routine habit, with 28 per cent of people checking their phone all day every day, and a further 43 per cent checking their phone last thing at night.
Most Irish people check their phone up to 10 times a day. Twice as many men as women stand out as frequent users, checking their phones 41 times or more a day.
The majority of Irish people check their phones while using public transport. Second most common places are at work and when out and about meeting friends. Others check their smartphone while on a plane. Alarmingly, 12 per cent of people admitted to checking their phone while driving.
The research coincides with the development by Irish Life of an app designed to make their customers’ lives easier when it comes to managing their pension savings using their smartphone.
Tony Lawless, managing director at Irish Life Corporate Business, said: “In a world where people engage so frequently with their smartphone, it is important that they can also engage with their plans for the future. Our app makes pension plans more accessible to our customers and allows them to understand what they can expect from their pension, ensuring that they have a plan for retirement and keep track of that plan.”
Android users can download the app from the Google Play Store and iPhone users from the Apple Store.
Visit www.irishlifecorporatebusiness.ie for more information.
