Nielsen’s new Connected Devices Playbook surveys more than 5,000 consumers who already own a tablet computer, eReader, netbook, media player or smartphone – including 400 iPad owners.

Here are some findings about iPad owners:

• 65% of iPad users are male;
• 63% of iPad users are under the age of 35;
• 35% of iPad users enjoy viewing ads on their connected device; and
• 8% of iPad owners have made a purchase directly through their connected device.

The original Nielsen article contains a 9 minute video entitled, “Connected Devices and Mobile Advertising: Does the iPad Change Everything?”.

Full story at Nielsen Wire Blog »

A new study by Art Technology Group Inc., based on a July 2010 poll of 1,002 U.S. consumers age 18 and over, says that more shoppers are using their mobile phones to research and buy products, a trend that’s especially strong among young adults.

In the 18 to 34 age group, the report says:

• 46% of consumers had used a mobile device for shopping-related activities;
• 41% of consumers had purchased via a mobile phone;
• 20% had compared pricing among retail stores;
• 19% had searched for coupons;
• 12% had browsed through a merchant’s products;
• 12% had sought customer or expert ratings and reviews while in a store;
• 10% had found a store with GPS;
• 9% had used a mobile bar code to learn more about products; and
• 8% had received text-messages about product promotions.

Full story at Internet Retailer »

Morgan Stanley presented at the CM (Conversational Marketing) Summit that took place earlier this year in New York City. Above are a few of the highlights from the 53-page “Internet Trends” presentation delivered at the event.

Highlights include:

• It is prediced that by 2012, more users will have access to the internet via smartphones than desktop PCs and notebooks combined. The mobile internet is where the future growth is.
• The amount of time we spend on the internet versus the amount of money spent on internet advertising is out of whack, which suggests a $50 Billion global opportunity.
• Mobile advertising revenue in Japan has grown from just $1 per user to $11 per user in six years. The United States mobile advertising industry is a few years behind Japan which suggests there is a lot of room for growth over the next few years.
• The average online CPM is well below other media, which suggests upside potential.

Download full report at Morgan Stanley »

Facebook launches a deal service that businesses can use to lure in customers. Local businesses will be able to offer deals when you check in to their place on Facebook. Deals will only be available in the United States at this time.

You’ll see a few different types of Deals: individual deals for a discount, free merchandise or other reward; friend deals where you and your friends claim an offer together; loyalty deals for being a frequent visitor to a place; and charity deals where businesses pledge to donate to a cause when you check in.

Many other businesses are already planning deals in the coming weeks for their U.S. Places, including the following:

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Hosting a free screening for whichever of their movie theaters gets the most check-ins, as well as giving free souvenir Facebook Places pint glasses just for showing that you’ve claimed the deal.
• American Eagle Outfitters: Offering 20 percent off.
• Gap: Giving blue jeans to the first 10,000 customers to claim their deal.
• Golden State Warriors: Inviting those who check in to an exclusive event with a basketball player on the NBA team from Oakland, Calif.
• H&M: Offering 20 percent off.
• JCPenney: Giving $10 off any $50 purchase.
• Macy’s: Offering 20 percent off select merchandise.
• The Palms: Upgrading your room or extending your weekend at the hotel another night–on the house.

If your business doesn’t already reward your customers for ‘checking in’, then maybe it’s time to explore this marketing concept.

Full story at the Facebook blog »

Related story: How Facebook Plans to Make Money From Deals (New York Times)