You Rang? Report finds Quebecers expect apps to act as butlers

Quebecers also anticipate smartphones will one-day diagnose diabetes and
intuitively track the number of calories consumed every day 

One-in-five (17%) think apps will allow people to chat with pets in the
next five years

MONTREAL, Dec. 27, 2013 /CNW/ – Quebecers are not only embracing the
technology that keeps them connected, but they clearly depend on it.
Twenty-six per cent of Quebecers would be willing to skip their morning
coffee in exchange for anytime, anywhere internet. In Quebec, eighty
per cent of smartphone users say they feel attached to their devices.
And it’s not just smartphones, tablets and computers keeping them
connected – Canadians are already heavy users of accessories and
customized apps, and expect technology to be even more integrated into
their lives within the next five years.

According to the latest Rogers Innovation Report, commissioned by Rogers
Communications and conducted by Harris-Decima, Canadians are optimistic
about the future; from virtual butlers to communicating with pets, they
envision a world where technology will unleash a connected reality
beyond one’s imagination. A third of Quebecers (33%) believe virtual
communication will replace face-to-face interactions and just under
half (39%) expect to converse exclusively through text, social media
and email in the next five years.

“Enhanced networks are leading to a rise in internet usage in Canada,
creating ‘Generation D’ – a group that lives and breathes life online
and that shares an optimistic view of what’s next,” said Hyun-Hee Pyun,
vice-president, marketing, Eastern Canada, Rogers Communications. “Over
the next few years, technology will continue to shift into high gear,
offering consumers completely personalized connected experiences
anytime, anywhere.”

Canadians are becoming a Device Generation or ‘Generation D’. Today, the
majority (52%) owns a smartphone and they’re not letting go, Quebecers
spend an average of two hours a day with their phone within reaching
distance. Social media on smartphones reached new heights this year,
with a quarter (25%) of Quebecers admitting to Tweeting or Facebooking
someone while in the same room; not surprisingly, over half (52%) of
Gen Y tapped into this trend. Canadians also had quite the ‘app-etite’
in 2013; their smartphones and tablets included a buffet of twenty-five
apps on average. Some of the most popular apps were Snapchat for Gen Y
(46%) and Facebook (74%) for the majority of Canadians.

Looking ahead, Canadians envision an increasingly virtual reality,
powered by tailored apps and faster networks. From connected closets to
cars, virtual wallets and interactive TV, here is a snapshot of what
Canadians’ expect in the future: 

• Connected concierge: A third (33%) of Quebecers expect apps to become their butler, to draw
  baths, cut the lawn, vacuum and even do their laundry.
• An app a day could keep the doctor away:  Nearly half (48%) believe apps will connect them to physicians and
  thirty-one per cent think apps will even predict life threatening
  health issues. More than half (52%) of Quebecers think apps will
  intuitively track caloric intake compared to forty-six per cent of the
  rest of Canada.
• Mind e-reader: One-in-five (20%) Quebecers expect their devices to read their mood
  while nearly the same per cent (17%) believe apps will help them
  communicate with their pets.
• Steer clear: A majority (78%) of Quebecers believe that cars will anticipate
  accidents and provide weather alerts.
• Cut the plastic and tap into purchases: By 2019, nearly half (48%) of Quebecers expect to throw out their
  physical wallets, to be replaced with mobile wallets that include
  credit and debit cards, and personal ID.
• Choose your own adventure: Forty-two per cent of TV viewers in Quebec will take to social media to
  alter a show’s plot by voting in real-time.
• Character copycat: Today we love Don Draper, and tomorrow we’ll look like him. Fifty-six
  per cent of Quebecers believe they will eventually purchase products
  directly from live programming.

Canadians are a step ahead, envisioning the possibilities that gadgets
and apps could bring to the future. While, forty-eight per cent need to
play catch-up and get on-board with smartphone technology, ‘Generation
D’ already anticipates the smartphone of 2019 that includes retina
scanners (53%), built in projectors (25%), augmented reality (46%) and
3D screens (33%). Continuing with the connected trend, one quarter
(25%) of Canadians see themselves sporting at least two connected
accessories within the next five years.

For a summary of the key findings, click here or check out the “Generation D is Here” video.

About the Survey
An online survey was conducted by Harris/Decima among a national sample
of n=1,009 Canadian panelists, aged 16+ who own either a smartphone or
tablet device for personal use.  The survey was administered in both
English and French between November 21st and December 2nd, 2013.  The
data is weighted to replicate the actual population distribution by
age, gender and region according to the 2011 Census.

About Rogers Communications
Rogers is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We
are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data communications
services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television,
high speed internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are
engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping,
sports entertainment, magazines and trade publications, and digital
media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A
and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further
information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.

Image with caption: “Welcome Generation D – A Glimpse into the World of the Connected Quebecer (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131227_C6613_PHOTO_EN_35253.jpg