Even though most consumers today have a smartphone, the obsession over these mobile gadgets does not seem to slow down. As a matter of fact, this mania is starting to take a whole new form. Interestingly, however, the smartphone trends differ from one country to another. While some nations adore to spend their time on social media apps, others use the smart devices to surf the web, scan products or… simply entertaining prisoners. Yes, the smartphone obsession has many faces and in a number of countries it has even resulted in legislation changes.
South Korea Has Virtual Retail Stores for Smartphone Shoppers
Don’t get us wrong – these are not online stores, like Amazon. These are shops that have shelves and products, but are exclusively designed for smartphone consumers. The products offered by these stores are only shown on pictures. Consumers can scan these images, adding any item to their virtual shopping cart. Once they are done with the shopping, the store will deliver the products to their homes. This is strange combination of online and in-store shopping, which is mainly suitable for consumers who are too lazy to carry their own bags.
Russia Offers Apps for Inmates
Russia is known for its strict and grim prisons. Myths have been circulating for years that often Russian prisoners are secretly sent to Siberian facilities, where living conditions are beyond disturbing. Whether this is true or not, we do not know. What we do know, however, is that prisoners in Russia now have something like their own mobile application store. The country’s Federal Penitentiary Service has introduced a number of apps for inmates. With some of them, prisoners can receive photos and messages from their families and friends, for example. Still, not all Russian inmates are allowed the luxury to use a smartphone. That is why, the local authorities recently arrested a cat which was attempting to illegally smuggle smartphone to a Russian prison. Our guess is she won’t have any inmate smartphone privileges.
France Wants to Introduce a Smartphone Tax
The country’s smartphone mania seems to be shadowed by its tax obsession. France is generally known for its odd taxation policies. For instance, it already has a so-called Google tax, which collects taxes from… online ads. But did you know that this European country is also planning to introduce a “culture tax” on smartphones and laptops. The reason – it wants to increase its digital content budget for films, books and music.
Canada’s Developers Enjoy Special Treatment
Canada’s smartphone market is quickly growing. This can be easily illustrated by the fact that out of its 27 million cell phone users, 23 million rely on smart mobile phones. It also seems that for that reasons the app developer business in the country is booming. The companies that focus their effort namely in this sphere are among the most successful and powerful in the world. No wonder that Apple’s App Store has an entire section called “Great Canadian Apps.”
Brazil – Home of Social Media Addicts
Brazil’s smartphone market has a lot of catching up to do. Even though the country impresses with its nearly 260 million mobile phone users, only 55 million of them have smartphones. Nevertheless, those who do own a smart mobile handset use it mainly for its social applications. Only the U.S. has recorded more social app downloads. However, unlike Brazil, over 230 million American have a smartphone.
Japan’s Has the Highest Amount of Apps per Phone
Japanese smartphone owners are crazy over applications. The average user there has installed more than 40 applications on his or hers gadget. In addition, smartphone users in Japan love all kinds of apps, except one – social media application. Maybe the overpopulated cities in the country have reduced people’s desire to socialize.
Although China is the country with most smartphone owners, almost the entire world is under the grip of these multifunctional gadgets. However, as you can see, this trend has a different face in almost every country.
