Sleeping with smartphones, and other vices

In this undated photo supplied by Valeo, a person activates a self-parking vehicle via a smartphone application. Technology being honed by the French auto parts maker uses a dozen ultrasonic sound-wave sensors, 360-degree cameras and a laser scanner to allow a vehicle to safely park within a few centimeters of other vehicles. AP

WASHINGTON, United States – Consumers around the world admit it: they sleep with their smartphone, take it in the shower, and would rescue the device from a fire before saving the family cat.

Those are among the findings of a seven-country survey of more than 7,000 people about smartphone habits released Tuesday by Motorola, the newly acquired division of Chinese electronics giant Lenovo.

Sixty percent of those surveyed said they slept holding their handsets — with the highest percentages in India (74 percent) and China (70 percent). And 57 percent said they took the device into the toilet, with the highest totals from China and Brazil.

One in six smartphone users said they used their phones while showering, and more than half — 54 percent — said they would reach for the smartphone before saving their cat in the event of a fire.

How close are people to their devices? 22 percent said they would give up sex for a weekend before parting with their smartphone. And 40 percent tell secrets to their phones they would not reveal even to their best friend.

But the relationship is not perfect. Only 39 percent said they were “happy” with their smartphone, and 79 percent felt bothered that their devices interrupted them at inopportune moments.

The survey was conducted online by KRC Research with a total of 7,112 smartphone owners in the United States, Britain, Brazil, China, Spain, Mexico and India.

It was released as Motorola unveiled two upgraded versions of its flagship Moto X handset — one with a larger 5.7 inch display and another with a 5.5 inch screen. The company said the devices would be priced hundreds of dollars lower than other flagship devices.

The company also unveiled a second-generation Moto G, priced at under $200 and aimed at emerging markets.

Motorola will be selling most of the devices unlocked for use with almost any carrier.