What is a picture book app? They are stories with pictures that you can download on to your iPhone for a small fee. Some apps have features that allow you to read on your own or have it read to you as you follow the words. Some apps also may include interactive features that make it fun for the kids.
The growing number of picture book apps available for iPhone use intrigued me. The submission call for stories to be used in picture book apps also sparked my interest (see my posting on "
The Digital Age of Picture Books"). But my question is if there was a demand for the picture book apps. Are people actually buying these apps for their children?
My curiosity prompted me to take a survey on this subject. I polled 103 of my friends and family and asked them the following:
QUESTION:
1) Do you own an iPhone?
a. If yes, would you let a child between the ages of 2-6* handle/hold it?
b. If no, if you had one, would you let a child between the ages of 2-6 handle/hold it?
2) What is the youngest age you would allow a child to handle/hold your iPhone?
3) You can now download picture book apps on your iPhone for $1.99. This will allow you to carry children's books on your iPhone to entertain your children with while you wait, shop, etc. Would you purchase this app for your iPhone? Why?
*note: The age group was chosen because majority of picture book apps target children between the ages of 2-6.
DEMOGRAPHICS: Click here if you are interested in the demographics of the population polled for this study.
RESULTS:
Ownership
26% of respondents own iPhones
71% of respondents did not own iPhones
3% of respondents owned an iTouch
Of those who owned iPhones or iTouch,
57% would be willing to buy a picture book app.
Of those who did not own an iPhone or iTouch,
38% would be willing to buy a picture book app.
But of those who did not own an iPhone or an iTouch,
5% said, “maybe.”
Age Factor
Of the respondents between the ages of 41-50,
24% owned iPhones
39% were willing to purchase a picture book app
Of the respondents between the ages of 31-40,
35% owned iPhones
46% were willing to purchase a picture book app
Of the respondents between the ages of 21-30,
43% owned iPhones
71% were willing to purchase a picture book app
Gender Factor
Of the female respondents,
26% owned an iPhone
47% would purchase the picture book app.
Of the male respondents,
38% owned an iPhone
34% would purchase the picture book app.
Geographical Factor
Of the respondents living in the rural area,
13% owned an iPhone
0% would purchase a picture book app
Of the respondents living in the suburban area,
33% owned an iPhone
45% would purchase a picture book app
Of the respondents living in the urban area,
27% owned an iPhone
50% would purchase a picture book app
Children handling iPhone
49% of respondents would allow a child to handle the iPhone to read/listen to the picture book app without supervision
The mean of the youngest age the respondents would allow a child to handle the iPhone is 4 to 5-years-old.
ANALYSIS:
A little less than half of the people polled would purchase a picture book app for use on the iPhone. This is not a significant number so I went further in my investigation. I wanted to find out if there was any correlation between ownership (of an iPhone), age, gender, geography, and the likelihood of purchasing picture book apps.
Results show that those who owned an iPhone were more likely to purchase a picture book app. Those between the ages of 21-30 were also more likely to purchase the app. It is interesting to note that there were more iPhone owners in that age group, which further confirms my findings.
When comparing gender, females were more likely to purchase a picture book app. Those living in the urban areas were also more likely to purchase the app for use on an iPhone.
Many of the respondents felt that the picture book apps are not a replacement for books. Of course, majority of respondents prefer books to the iPhone. Some felt that $1.99 is too expensive for an app. “Why pay for an app when there are free apps available to keep the children occupied,” commented a respondent.
Many stated they would resort to picture book apps only when necessary. They would turn to it as a last resort to keep the children occupied and entertained while waiting in public places when nothing else is available.
Many respondents felt that a picture book app is better than playing video games. On the negative side, respondents felt the screen is too small for reading and may hinder eyesight. But the biggest complaint is that many felt the iPhone is not meant to be a toy and that it was too expensive for children to handle. The use of an iPhone by children would require supervision for children ages 5 and below. This would defeat the purpose of keeping the children occupied while parents do their errands or business.
CONCLUSION:
A little less than half of the polled population is willing to purchase a picture book app for iPhone use. The percentage is too close to draw any significant conclusion about the impact of picture book apps on consumers. But given its recent entry into multimedia, there is still room for growth in its popularity among consumers.
However, for marketing purposes, it would benefit picture book app businesses to know that consumers, who are females between the ages of 31-40 living in the urban area, are more likely to purchase picture book apps. But the key to promoting picture book apps is to get the iPhones into the hands of consumers.
If you are a picture book writer, I’d say it wouldn’t hurt to submit a story for use as an iPhone app. Royalties may be smaller, but for unpublished writers, it is another alternative to breaking into the market.
For established authors, it would be a good way to promote yourself and your existing book and reach out to the tech-savvy population that is growing. One respondent said it well, “Technology isn’t going to go away so we may as well embrace it."
How
about you? When is your optimal or favorite time to
write?
