Tablet vs e-Reader Owners

Now that the iPad has revolutionized the world of portable devices, what about the Kindle and Nook owners? What are tablet vs e-reader users doing on their digital device? A review of the evidence from several GfK MRI studies (US !), shared by Kathi Love, President and CEO of GfK MRI, on the last FIPP Research Forum.

A meteoric growth of portable digital devices 

Tablet and e-reader Ownership has increased like never seen before with 7.1 million iPads and some 11.7 million e-readers in circulation (January - April '11). e-Reader users tend to be more female. Tablet ownership is more gender-balanced. "Users of tablets are younger than e-reader users, whose age profile has grown old since they were released". Both kind of users are highly educated in comparison with the average US-population.

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News Addicted vs Bookworm?

Book reading seems still more common than periodical reading. Both kind of owners have read a book on their device during the last 6 month. But tablet owners are more likely to read magazines (38%)  and newspapers (37%) than e-reader users (magazines: 18% ; newspapers: 12%).

Most digital devices are used daily. Compared to e-reader owners, tablet owners use their device slightly more on average weekdays than weekend days. 47% of tablet users share their device with (an) other family member(s). e-reader owners tend to be more the sole user of their device (69%).

Tablets make the difference when it comes to 'online' activities such as reading or sending an e-mail, social networking, play games,... e-readers seem to be dedicated to... reading books. Some 62% of tablet owners say they have 10 or more apps on their device but a limited amount is regularly used.

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Of course, tablet owners prefer free apps. And yet, approximately 66% of the apps downloaded were free (last 30 days before analysis). Problem, knowing that 66% of the apps available in the Apple AppStore are not for free.

Are Digital Readers Confused?

Digital is convenient but tablet readers are still in love with printed magazine copies, praising the format and the ability to rip out any articles or ad that they find interesting. Kathi Love admitted that there is still some confusion over whether users prefer the digital version to the print one. Understandable, knowing that 65% of tablet readers say it's more satisfying to read a magazine in the traditional way while 67% declare that if available, they would prefer the electronic version.

When it comes to digital reading, 72% of tablet users want all magazines to be formatted in the same way. Nearly the same amount would like to be able to buy items by clicking on the magazine ad. In short: the benefits seem to be a richer experience with digital and a more tactile one with print - read on the FIPP website where you can find other informations about this review.

Source: GfK MRI iPanel, GfK MRI Survey of the American Consumer, GfK MRI Starch Digital