Video Conferencing Use Up, Entertainment Down Amid COVID-19, Says SA

App use by U.S. smartphone owners during Q2 grew 20 minutes a day year-over-year, led by mobile browsing and social networking apps Facebook and TikTok, said Strategy Analytics Tuesday. Games had the biggest share of smartphone minutes, though usage was largely flat. Social media app usage rose 21% and business and finance, including videoconferencing, grew 68%, as users largely worked from home during the pandemic. Browsing app minutes were up 13%, lifestyle 12% and productivity 7%. Time spent using video entertainment apps including YouTube and Netflix declined 12% and 33% “as customers defaulted to other devices with bigger displays” and better user experiences, said the researcher. Smartphone behaviors are shifting as users observe stay-at-home orders and "adapt to new norms as a consequence of COVID-19,” said analyst Nitesh Patel. Apps having strong declines were in transport (44%) and travel and location (35%). Consumers also are meeting communication and entertainment needs with tablets, PCs, games consoles and smart TVs, said analyst Barry Gilbert.