Mark Bridge writes:

By now you already know the basics. More and more people have smartphones - and they’re becoming an essential companion. They’re taking over from digital cameras, they’re taking over from portable gaming consoles, they’re taking over from music players… and now they’re taking over from Christmas cards. Yes, Christmas cards.

Social communications platform CloudTalk has conducted a survey to learn more about the ways consumers plan to use their smartphones this holiday season. It seems that 74% of respondents will be sending their seasonal greetings as a mobile message, while cards will only be sent by 58% of people. Email (50%) and e-cards (28%) are even further down the list.

As well as writing-off the Christmas card, it seems the mobile phone is also threatening the traditional phone call. Calling home is still the preferred way of staying in touch for family - but colleagues, friends and even a boyfriend or girlfriend are more likely to receive a message than a call.

In fact, messaging is the top of the list for festive phone use, according to the CloudTalk survey, with 95% of respondents planning to send texts, pictures and instant messages.

David Hayden, chairman and CEO of CloudTalk, said “We’re seeing that mobile messaging is becoming an increasingly integral part of people’s day-to-day lives. And though texting remains a favorite mode of asynchronous communication, we’re seeing more consumers wanting to integrate voice, photo and video in their messages as well. CloudTalk users, in particular appreciate that they can express emotion and authenticity by communicating with their voice within the convenience of messaging.”