According to a report released last week by Accenture Research, approximately 80% of U.S. consumers do not use their mobile phones — or any portable device — to watch videos, send e-mail or play games. Interestingly many of the respondents reported watching regular TV at home, sending email from computers, and reading print newspapers and magazines.

This suggests the much anticipated revolution in mobile communications, networking and entertainment might be at least slightly delayed.

Notably, the Accenture study indicates that the digital divide between young adults and all older groups is significant. Reporting on the study, Telephony Online notes that: "the survey found that 38% of all respondents spent less than $500 on CE products during the previous year. Spending was highest among the 18-to-34 year old group, with 17% purchasing between $1500 and $3000 worth of CEs, compared to only 11% of those over 35 years old. Four times as many of the youngest respondents, 18-to-24 year olds, spent more than $3000 on CE products compared to those over 55. These young mobile users also were twice as willing as those 55 and older to pay an additional subscription fee of $1 to $5 for a Geek Squad style service to help them install and configure their CE products over the phone."

An executive at Accenture, Kumu Puri, attributed the lack of use of mobile applications to comfort, ease of usage and lack of interest on the part of consumers.

Of course, comfort and ease of use are central concerns of the Wireless RERC (the host of this site). But, some of the respondents to our Survey of User Needs have also indicated the lack of interest in doing anything more than talking on their mobile devices.

For more coverage of the Accenture Study, please see: http://telephonyonline.com/wireless/news/high-end-applications-underused-1017/