Mobile technology is definitely what’s hot today. The earlier forecast of mobile devices overtaking desktop is already a reality worldwide.
Devices closely competing are the smartphone and tablets, in particular the iPad. Research group eMarketer has predicted that the number of iPad users in the U.S. will reach 53.2 million this 2012, an increase by more than 90 percent from the 2011 figure of 28 million. As for smartphone ownership, comScore estimated that the number will reach 110 million this year.
The latest buzz is that in terms of use of mobile device in gaming, the iPad has been declared as winner. A new study by Magid Media commissioned by PlayFirst revealed that more gamers using the iPad buy apps compared to gamers using the smartphone.
Tablet game apps are tops
Here are some interesting facts that might also surprise you. The research that covered 2,540 mobile users in Australia aged from 8 to 64 found that game apps for tablets are the most frequently purchased content these days. Also, tablets in many homes have become the top entertainment device edging out the TV. Australians are among the top users of mobile devices around the globe.
In terms of spending on tablets, the iPad users topped the list. The same study confirmed that users of this popular Apple product often play games, purchase games and other virtual goods in game applications. Specifically, the in-game virtual goods are what most people buy on tablets with purchases amounting to $65 per year.
With regards to smartphones, the biggest spenders are those who use the Apple iPhone. But compared to the purchases made by iPad users, the figure for smartphones is only $25.
Females over males
Between males and females, guess who buys game apps most often? If you think it’s the men, then you’re not right. The Magid Media research found that more female tablet owners purchased games than the males. The number was 68.8 percent more than the men.
This interesting finding only shows that women actually get entertained with playing games on their tablets, too. This is despite the fact that most mobile game developers target the male demographic from kids to adults up to age 30 and not the women.
Photo via ipad.about.com