Smartphones have transformed content discovery for consumers as a mass of information is now accessible with a few taps of an OLED screen. By entering a search query into Google, it is possible to find answers and info on any topic. That has profoundly impacted researching information and finding relevant stats for sports matches, leagues, and tournaments.
Devices connected to the internet are now information hubs for this reason. Digital devices are already the primary device for news consumption in the US, according to data from the Pew Research Center. In 2021, 86% of adults used devices, including smartphones, to keep abreast of breaking stories and the latest information about topics. That is considerably more than for TV (86%), radio (50%), and print publications (32%).
There has followed an explosion in mobile phone ownership during the last decade. Pew Research Center found that 97% of Americans own a cellphone and 85% have a smartphone, a massive jump from the 35% figure recorded for smartphones in 2011. This has created a “smartphone dependency” where many Americans rely solely on iPhones and other pocketable devices for everything they do online.
In fact, 15% of adults now say they are “smartphone-only,” which is a testament to how feature rich and versatile these devices are. It’s no surprise that sports enthusiasts are diving into a treasure trove of statistics and information about football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey on their smartphones.
It is now possible for bettors to download an app or log online at sportsbooks to access a range of betting markets that update in real-time and allow them to place as many wagers as they like, wherever they are located. This is true at BetDSI, a leading offshore sportsbook with betting options across numerous professional sports leagues, including the NFL and NBA.
Bettors no longer have to be tied to a fixed connection on a desktop PC at home to make a bet. They can access ultrafast 5G networks and place bets on their smartphones on the way to work, while out dining, or having drinks with friends. This is true for looking up sports stats, which are also often available on sports betting sites.
Several sites are now dedicated solely to listing stats and data about sports such as soccer and football. With smartphones, people can access all this fascinating digital information “on the go,” with the increasing size of smartphone screens now ideal for large-scale content consumption. It can be argued that mobile optimization has made user experiences better on smartphones than on desktops and laptops.
Bettors often prefer using smartphones to place wagers, as they can easily switch between different browsers and apps and can continue betting everywhere they go, rather than being fixed to a single screen at home. This trend will strengthen as “digital natives” grow older and more tech-literate youngsters come of age.
Pew Research found smartphone dependency is more common among younger adults, though older men and women increasingly use these devices for all digital tasks. In the future, it is not hard to imagine a world where every person is smartphone-dependent, especially as tech like augmented reality (AR) becomes mainstream and powers even more engaging and intuitive experiences.
Sports fans already have a plethora of stats websites to dig into already on their smartphones. There are sites that, for example, provide over-and-under trends for sports teams which is a handy tool for bettors placing wagers on NFL and NBA matches. Other sites give purely statistical information about players and games. “Who Scored” is one of the best for soccer as it provides a complete breakdown of teams and players with stats such as shots per game, goals, assists, and even pass success.
Everyone with a smartphone can access these sites, which are likely to have been fully optimized for smartphone screens, so web pages load quickly and have touchscreen prompts and navigation. Anyone with a passing interest in soccer can visit Who Scored and become an expert after just a few hours of researching information. This is a huge change compared to pre-internet times when many fans and bettors were often left in the dark.
Smartphones are also making it easier for professionals to conduct data analytics which is a process that has a significant impact on sports such as baseball with its infamous “moneyball” approach to purchasing players based on statistical trends. Using smartphone apps and browsers to research data and make decisions in sporting environments and betting sites is now the “new normal.” This trend will strengthen as tech advances, and smartphone-only consumers grow in number.
