Tablets for older folks, SmartPhones for kids

According to a survey by Pew Internet, young middle-aged folks are reaching for tablets whilst the 20+ prefer the SmartPhone experience. The research comes from the US but it’s always good to take a reading from what’s occurring across the pond. The key findings were:

  • Tablet ownership is concentrated around well-off, well educated, 35-44 years old
  • Half of all parents with kids at home own a tablet
  • Tablet ownership in May 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 was 3%, 8%, 18% and 34% respectively

“One of the things that is especially interesting about tablet adoption compared to some of the patterns of other devices we’ve studied is how these technologies’ growth has played out between different age groups,” Research Analyst Kathryn Zickuhr said. “With smartphones, for instance, we’ve seen a very strong correlation with age where most younger adults own smartphones, regardless of income level. But when it comes to tablets, adults in their thirties and forties are now significantly more likely than any other age group to own this device.”

The iPad is still the clear leader but with limited innovation and better competitive products appearing you’d have to question Apple’s long-term ownership of this segment.