More data showing that people of all ages are becoming more savvy with their mobile devices. High percentages are tapping into mobile internet for various tasks.

• 35.3% use their mobile devices for social media
• 29.5% use the internet search function

Only 12.2% use mobile for online retail, which I’m thinking means that consumers are more than willing to research a product, but not quite ready to make the purchase from their device.

That said, to downplay the role of mobile in the purchase cycle would be a mistake. It is also stated that nearly 1/3 of respondents cite mobile as a preferred shopping method. Again, I read this as consumers stating the importance of mobile while shopping, not necessarily the point of purchase happening from the mobile device.

Via: hightable.com

Brilliant look at why and how we buy what we buy. Behaviors.

Via: CB

Pinterest surged into the spotlight earlier this year when it was discovered that it drives more web traffic than YouTube, Goggle+ and LinkedIn combined. Of course Facebook drives more traffic, but the types of networks being built around interests in Pinterest are setting the table for powerful levels of influence, sure to drive actions.

Pinterest users reported a surprisingly high correlation between pinning and subsequent purchasing: more than 1 in 5 Pinterest users has pinned an item that they later purchased. In the social world, this is a high conversion rate.

Via: HBR

Moms are one of the most important, active groups in social media and these tools are helping them share their interest and influence.

No surprise, but Pinterest is one of their most frequented sites.

Via: Michael Litman

Twitter has changed the economic landscape of how companies connect and communicate with consumers. Two of the shifts are in voice that consumers now have and the way that they are driven to media through social channels like Twitter.

A look at the worldwide growth of social media, and Facebook’s overwhelming dominance. YouTube also holds a large share of membership percentage at 20%.

ScanLife’s Mobile Barcode Q2 2011 Trend Report is now available. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• A year ago, the ScanLife system was processing 10 scans per minute, and it now does 1 scan per second.
• Scans come from over 125 different countries every day.
• 2D barcode scanning is currently outpacing the growth of 1D barcodes, a major shift from 2010.
• Over 45,000 2D barcodes were generated from the ScanLife platform in the 2nd quarter, a 300% increase from a year ago.
• Over 400,000 unique UPC codes, or products, were scanned by the ScanLife app in a single month.
• The number of females scanning increased 13%, and the 35-44 age-group increased 8% from the last quarter showing a continued trend toward the mainstream.

Download the full report here.

curiositycounts: The Internet of Things, in an infographic – a timely look at how connected sensors

Some key takeaways:

• Twitter has the largest division of wealth with 27% earning 75k or more.
• Twitter also has the largest division of users with secondary education, 37% have at least a bachelors degree.
• Myspace has the largest division of lower income users with 63% earning 50k or less.
• Myspace also has the greatest gender divide, with a 64% female and 36% male membership.
• Facebook has the largest division of older users with 37% being 45 years or older.

We’ve reached a point where at least half of all generations, Millenials to GI, are utilizing the internet as way to research and find information. 50-59% of the GI generation look for health, product, and news information online.

How is your brand visible online?

Interesting look at groups online. It’s important to remember the offline meetings and events when thinking of how to reach specific groups. It’s more than just offering a promotion to a specific group. How can you engage them?

Facebook Introduces Sponsored Stories

Adding a slightly different angle to the idea of social advertising, Facebook is now offering brands a chance to promote brand content that users post to their own feeds – basically amplifying the brand content that is already being posted.

With the launch of this application, MINI owners can now connect their iPhones to their cars to access Google Maps, search, read, tweet, and much more while on the go.

We will continue to see this type of integration from automakers as they continue to fight for ways to keep their vehicles from becoming commoditized utilities in the eyes of consumers. The strategy here, which we’ve also seen from a few other automakers, is to find ways to become useful in the lives of consumers beyond simply getting them from point A to point B.

eMarketer makes it’s predictions for 2011, and nearly all of them deal with how consumer behaviors around content are changing with introduction of new technologies and the convergence of platforms. This is driving shifts in how brands reach consumers through these platforms and where they are spending their ad budgets.

Their full list of trends:

1. Apps invade all platforms
2. Content consumption convergence
3. Location, location, location
4. Social gets its share of marketing dollars
5. Real-time bidding
6. Target audiences vs. content
7. Online privacy debate heats up

An example of how the right platform can be used as a tool to connect groups with shared objectives. Because of a slew of different factors, these people would have had little chance of crossing paths. Now, factors that would have kept them apart (time, location, income, etc) in the past have become irrelevant.

Pregnant UK moms by far spend the most time online per day, but I would assume most of that time is spent in research mode, or “online nesting” so-to-speak.

A look at who Facebook users are. Truth is, Facebook is becoming so large it’s user base is becoming average.

A humorous, sarcastic look at what Twitter is, using mad up statistics.

Visual explanation of how social improves productivity, collaboration and ROI.