How popular are smartphones really?  According to comScore, in Q2 this year, the number of smartphone owners in the US increased to 82.2 million, a 10% climb from Q1.  Results show that about 234 million users of mobile phone are from ages 13 and up.   With regards to the platform preference, Google’s Android OS ranked first with a 41.8% share, next is Apple’s iOS with 27% share, on the third spot is Research in Motion with 21.7% then Microsoft with 5.7%.

So, why do people use smartphones?   People today are always in the rush because time is very precious–you cannot afford to spend it just doing nothing.  With the birth of smartphones, people’s lives have changed.   These powerful devices have made life easier and more productive, especially when it comes to managing other services and devices.

To be more productive, workers are taught to multi-task.  Now, not only people do multi-tasking but so do our smartphones.  To maximize its utilization, applications are available so that smartphones can now be used as a “home” device and not just something reserved for talking and texting.  With widespread applications and internet connected devices, it certainly seems like everything is possible.

The idea of a connected home is actually not new.  A lot of our day to day activities, such as connecting laptops to HD TVs and plugging iPods into the stereos are already classified as a “connected” home.  However, because of the increasing number of smartphone owners, developers’ brilliant minds saw this opportunity to use this in the framework of a connected home.

So how exactly can a smartphone be used at home?  For starters, your smartphone can be used as a remote control.  By connecting the smartphone to a home wireless network with the appropriate mobile app installed,  all your other WiFi connected devices are accessible.

Aside from being a universal remote control,  smartphones can also be used for home security systems by means of opening  an internet-connected door lock by sending an unlock code thru their smartphone.  In addition, the mobile device can also be used in lighting fixtures and thermostats and track energy consumption.

Moreover, a recent study about smartphones being able to save gas at an average of about 20% by transmitting images of traffic signals using the software SignalGuru.  Even in the Medical field, by taking advantage of the mobile technology, healthcare IT is now heading towards getting mobile wherein smartphones and other mobile devices are able to access information of all kinds for faster, better medical service.

But when it comes down to it, the connected home is still a distant dream when it comes to widespread consumer adoption, and companies but also consider their own bottom line.   In this fast-paced industry, companies must also be fast in innovating, creating and developing their products and services to be able to survive.  Studies have shown that people spend more time utilizing their smartphones at home than anywhere else, presenting an opportunity to incorporate more connected services right to our own homes.  In 5 European nations including Germany, consumers want and will pay for a “connected home.”

“I would like to control devices like light, heating systems and other electronic devices, such as the oven,” said one German interviewee in a typical statement. “So you can make sure everything is turned off, even if you are not at home.”