Smart Phones Helping to Move Business from the Boardroom to the Bathroom

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Mobile, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.,¹ today announced the candid results of a new online survey that showed working Americans who own smart phones are breaking old boundaries on when and where it’s appropriate to make and take business calls. According to the results, these professionals conduct their business far, far away from the office setting including while on vacation, the bathroom, during a date, at church or even during sex.

Respondents admit the need to stay connected and productive with their jobs led them to take their business calls into more private settings than ever before, such as a trip to the bathroom or during an intimate moment with their significant other. Close to three quarters (72%) were comfortable taking calls in the commode, while at least one out of every ten people came clean about doing business over the phone at a funeral (16%) or in the throes of passion (10%). Other taboo business calls have taken place in the middle of the night (59%), during a date (38%) and at church (32%).

Other surprising, but less salacious survey results determined the following business behaviors:

The Great Communicators

Given that 78 percent of smart phone using office workers consider their smart phone a critical part of everyday business, it’s no surprise that an overwhelming majority (89%) believe it’s important to be readily available to colleagues, supervisors and clients at all times, even after business hours. In fact, almost eight in ten (79%) immediately respond to a work email on their smart phone regardless of time of day.

Leave Your Computer Behind

According to survey findings, nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents say that their dependency on their smart phone has reduced the frequency they use an office computer or laptop. Four in ten (40%) also claim they feel most productive working from a smart phone outside the office, rather than at a desk on their computer. Consequently, nearly a third (32%) see their smart phone as more important than their desktop or laptop computer. In fact, 51 percent turn to their smart phone to work on projects instead of their computer, even if their monitor is within reach.

As the smart phone continues to increase in prominence in today’s mobile world, 29 percent of survey respondents say they can envision the day that office computers become obsolete, with smart phones taking their place. More than seven in ten (71%) office workers with smart phones think companies should automatically supply the phones, rather than laptops, to all employees free of charge.

Samsung Mobile has made it even easier to stay connected with its Galaxy S portfolio of devices. The Android™ 2.1-powered Galaxy S devices are currently available on AT&T and T-Mobile, will be available on Sprint on August 31 and Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular and Cellular South in 2010. Samsung Mobile has packed powerful, cutting-edge technology into each Galaxy S device, including features such as a stunning 4-inch Super AMOLED display screen, 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor and a multitude of entertainment, messaging and social networking features and applications.

The survey, commissioned by Samsung Mobile, was conducted by Kelton Research and included 503 Americans ages 18 and older who own a smart phone and work in an office.

*All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100%.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ Based upon reported shipment data from Strategy Analytics Q2 2010 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Report.