Sprint released its new survey of wireless users in the US today and there are a few interesting datapoints, though it is largely a marketing exercise.

Sprint's key message is that mobiles are changing, and user behavior is already recognizing that handsets can be used for more than just going "buh-leep" in the middle of the detergent aisle at Target. Key messages in the data are that handsets could be a good tool for wayfinding and mapping, Internet access, gaming and imaging.

"With each new model, the wireless phone seems to increasingly resemble a gadget found in a James Bond movie. This survey identified some 'out of the box' product additions that may not turn users into spies, but could turn the mobile phone into an even more unusual multi-purpose marvel. With more than one-quarter support, 27 percent of respondents want a printer/scanner/fax incorporated into their phone. A thermometer was the next most popular, garnering 17 percent support, followed by a money/business cardholder and a credit card, each receiving 15 percent support."

New applications are indeed coming down the pipe, and in the US, as in many other countries that are more mobile-mature, comsumers are waking up to the idea that the handset is a swiss army knife of sorts. This can only be a good thing for the industry, so long as the message isn't muddled with too many proprietary names for common products (such as wireless broadband) and operators' feet on the street can effectively sell and service advanced apps and services.

All that's left is to change the flip phone culture and bring some better looking designs to the States. How likely is that? Could be far off, as 70% of respondents in this survey favored the clamshell look.