Survey Says Vacationing Americans Take Advantage of Portable Technology

(ARA) - As portable technology has become more compact, advanced, affordable and less complicated, it's easier than ever for people to take technology anywhere they go. Spring is here and people are eager to get outside and get moving, and technology will keep them connected while they're out and about. A recent survey shows that Americans will bring a variety of tech toys and tools with them virtually everywhere this spring and summer -- whether they're relaxing on the beach, hiking in the woods, shopping, driving or even visiting public restrooms.

"With people constantly on the go, portable technology is a necessity," said Laurie Bauer, spokesperson for Best Buy, the nation's largest retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. "No matter where you're headed this spring and summer, portable and compact technologies such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, DVD players and wireless phones can make any time more fun and productive."

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the travel and vacation season, and according to the survey, 62 percent of Americans will leave home for their spring and summer vacations. The beach takes top honors as the most-favored destination (26 percent), with the great outdoors coming in a close second (21 percent). While rest and relaxation are a high priority for many vacationers, so is staying connected. Sixty percent plan to take their technology toys and tools with them on vacation.

While people use technology the most during vacation, they also use tech products in many other places -- in the car (57 percent); in the outdoors at the park, beach and woods (42 percent); at the mall (30 percent); and at the gym (20 percent). One out of ten (10 percent) survey respondents even uses technology in public restrooms.

Regardless of where people are headed, they won't be leaving home without a variety of technologies. Making the top of the list, nearly 60 percent of people use cell phones while on the go. Of all the age groups, 25- to 34-year-olds use cell phones the most. More than one out of three Americans (35 percent) are into portable stereos, making this tech toy the second most popular on-the-go item. In fact, twice as many people ages 18 to 24 report using portable stereos compared to 25- to 55-year olds.

Music is definitely a must in the car, as more than 90 percent of Americans listen to music in their vehicles on CD players, tape players or car radios, followed by portable CD players (31 percent) and portable stereos (30 percent). The younger generation is the most tech savvy when it comes to music, as 18- to 24-year-olds groove to the music on the go -- more than any other age group -- with advanced technologies such as portable MP3 and CD players.

Entertainment on the go is becoming more popular than ever, especially in the car. Although the top wish-I-had technology product was the notebook computer (49.1 percent), more than 20 percent (21.3 percent) of people indicated they would like to own a Mobile Video unit to make those long trips more entertaining. Of that 21.3 percent, 62 percent are female, indicating that mom would appreciate something in the back seat to keep the kids busy. A surprising 16.5 percent of respondents said they would choose a global positioning system (GPS) as their most desired product. Men accounted for 70 percent of that group, alluding that most men would rather use a GPS than ask someone for directions.

As tech products continue to get smaller and more powerful, it's easier to take them wherever we go. Whether you're on the road or in the air, at the beach or on the trail, technology is sure to be right there with you.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.araocontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: Best Buy commissioned its "Technology On the Go" survey in March 2001 to determine consumers' views on using technology while on the go. The survey, conducted by Market Facts, Inc. polled a representative sample of 1,000 people aged 18 - 55, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.