The Mobile difference.

A new report has been published by the pew Institute focusing on the uptake of wireless devices used for Internet access: mobile phones, laptops and PDA's. The report explores and contrasts in detail the habits of the 39% of the population that have embraced mobile connectivity and their attitudes to "always present" connectivity with the remaining 61% of the population that utilise wired connections or are not connected at all.

The researchers have developed 9 participant typologies as the basis of in-depth analysis:

Motivated by Mobility (39%)
Digital Collaborators
Ambivalent Networkers
Media Movers
Roving Nodes
Mobile Newbies

Stationary Media Majority (61%)
Desktop Vetrans
Drifting Surfers
Information Encumbered
The Tech Indifferent
Off the Network.

Whilst the survey was undertaken in the United States the data will still be applicable to those in Australia interested in the changing online landscape.

The ever expanding section of the population that utilises wireless connectivity will necessitate that public libraries rethink how we package information for our end users. On the other hand there is also the possibility that a new digital divide will be created between those that have a wireless connection/device and those that do not.