Consumers value mobile phones over spouses, booze

A pair of new surveys indicate that American consumers value mobile services over their spouses, their social lives and even their personal safety. According to a survey of 645 U.S. women commissioned by shoe retailer Zappos.com and payment solutions provider Bill Me Later, 31 percent of respondents named their phone or PDA as "most important" in managing their work and home lives, outpacing significant others and hired help. Respondents said their mobile devices help them bridge professional and personal lives, enabling them to multi-task between their job-related duties and their domestic responsibilities.

A related study commissioned by Best Buy Mobile reports that among 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, about 60 percent said they'd rather give up alcohol for a week than relinquish their mobile phone for the same period of time. Thirty-three percent said they would prefer to give up television for a week, and 15 percent said they would prefer to have their teeth drilled at the dentist. The Best Buy Mobile survey also reports that 51 percent of respondents have read text messages while driving, and 34 percent sent texts while behind the wheel. About a quarter looked at a spouse, partner or child's text messages without that individual's permission, and 23 percent have sent messages while intoxicated.

For more on the consumer studies:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

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