As a means to gain Internet access, the personal computers are losing ground as tablets and mobile phones are rising in popularity. According to a multi-market study conducted by TrendStream, 79 per cent respondents said they still prefer laptops or personal computers to access internet but 42 per cent believed this method would change within next 12 months.
Tablets were the preferred method of accessing Internet for 19 per cent users whereas 18 per cent users said they preferred phones while going online.
About the rise of social media and real time networking, the TrendStream research says, “The rise of the real-time web is highlighting the value of traditional content. Consumers are more willing to pay for content or services, however, this propensity to pay differs strongly by market. It is strongest and growing in BRIC (Brazil, India, Russia and China) markets, while the five biggest EU markets are the least willing to pay for services such as study materials, ebooks, music downloads, mobile app, dating or games.”
According to the research, apps are likely to play a big role in the transformation towards tablets and mobiles. The usage of apps is witnessing huge growth and between the months of February and June only, the increase in the use of gaming apps went up by 19 per cent.
“Apps and device-specific platforms help create a diverse and disconnected Web,” the report said. The research firm TrendStream interviewed close to 100,000 individuals in 27 different markets in June and July.
Another significant finding of the report was Facebook fatigue setting in the users, though the website continued to grow in the emerging markets. The fatigue is more pronounced especially in the USA based Facebook users of about 20 years of age, the age group which had first adopted Facebook in a big way.