iPhone Mac Lead Hotspots

Regardless of its actual market share, Apple all but commands use at Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes and coffee shops in the US, according to new data from JiWire. The iPhone and iPod touch combined account for 97.6 percent of all handheld device at these areas, while just over one quarter of notebook users are running Macs. Both give it the largest share for any one company and far eclipse companies like Palm, which had only the fifth largest share of handhelds.

The researchers don't directly explain the reasons behind the Apple bias but do illustrate a typical user that would favor MacBooks. The average hotspot guest is a man between 25 and 49 years old who is financially secure; about 38 percent plan to make a large purchase within the next year.

Of all users, about 85 percent of these visitors are online at least once a week, while 68 percent use it for over an hour. The US leads has dramatic lead in hotspots with an estimated 67,420 versus 28,678 for China and 27,459 in the UK. New York has a slight lead over San Francisco for the largest number of public hotspots at 887 versus 872.

Apple has previously tried spurring its use in coffee shops through its deal with Starbucks but has since scaled back its efforts. However, it's helped by AT&T's control of Wi-Fi hotspots in those same shops, which gives iPhone owners free access. [via GigaOM; image via Flickr]

By Electronista Staff

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iPod, iPhone, computers, industry, networking, Palm, Starbucks, Apple