Smartphone primacy over personal computers has been reached, as activities from entertainment to productivity are more widely used. Productivity and collaboration activities were the most recent to reach the broadest usage. This MetaFAQs reports on the trend in the primacy of smartphones as compared to computers across eight classes of activities: entertainment, communication, social networking, graphics, entertainment, productivity, information, and cloud. It reports on the primary device type for each class of activity for 2019 through 2022 among adult users in the US and globally: the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and China.
Device hours declined worldwide
During the COVID pandemic and its interruption to workplace patterns, online adults worldwide shifted how they use technology. Their total usage has declined, especially with computers. This MetaFAQs reports the four-year trend in the average weekly use of connected devices – computers, smartphones, and tablets.
Apple leads competitors in brand footprint dominance
Apple has continued its dominance of the brand footprint, with half of most online adults using at least one of their iPhones, Macs, or iPads. Market penetration for computer makers is shrinking.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China who are using any smartphone, computer, tablet, or game console from Apple, Samsung, HP, Dell, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Lenovo, Google, Acer, Asus, or LG.
Americans have big plans for tech purchases
Smartphones and computers are top of mind for near-term purchases by nearly half of American online adults. Laptops lead desktops and tablets. Purchase plans for home printers are very low. This MetaFAQs reports on the percent of American adults who are planning to buy specific types of technology products in the next 12 months. The products include home computers, smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, wearables, and printers.
Consumer tech sentiment weakened
Forward consumer sentiment for buying technology products has weakened substantially in the last year, impacting many products from computers to Apple Watch. This MetaFAQs reports on the change in purchase plans between 2021 and 2022 for many products: smartphones, laptops, desktops, wearables, printers, and Chromebooks.
Trends in webcam and video calls/meetings usage
Are video calls and meetings as widespread as tech media implies? How much have webcams and video calls and meetings reached into the everyday experience of the average online adult? This MetaFAQs reports on the usage trend since before the pandemic for online adults in the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. It further splits video calling/conferencing by smartphone, home PC, or work PC. Furthermore, because change has not affected everyone the same, it details the trend among life stage segments – employment status, age group, and presence of children.
Profile of Americans with the oldest computers
Who’s using the oldest computers? Does the user’s age play a factor in the age of the computer? 51.5 million, or 24% of all online American adults, are using the oldest computers. This MetaFAQs profiles those using the oldest computers by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; household composition; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); and employment status. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0802_old] in TUP Lenses: PCs, Devices, User Profile.
Profile of Americans who recently acquired a computer
With increasing hybrid and remote work possibilities for many, getting a system upgrade seems to be the next inevitable step. So, who’s getting the newest computers? 14% of all online Americans, numbering 29.9 million, recently acquired a computer. This MetaFAQs profiles those with a new computer by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; household composition; household size; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); employment status; and technology ecosystem involvement. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0801_new_] in TUP Lenses: Devices, PCs, User Profile.
American women 40+ and their technology
As the average age of the tech-savvy increases, the face of the average technology user is shifting. A major player in the arena of tech is the American woman aged 40+. This TUPdate reports on the unique attitudes and tech habits of American women at or over 40—a group of 69.3 million Americans. This analysis splits American women aged 40 and older into four segments based on their attitudes, values, and profiles of their use of technology. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0714_fema] in TUP Lenses: User Profile, PCs, Mobile Phones, Households, Activities, Consumer Electronics.
Profile of Americans actively using a Google assistant
Active use of voice assistants is relatively low among Americans, despite being supported by many smart devices. Less than six (15%) American online adults regularly use Google Assistant. The highest concentration of these users is middle-aged male parents.
This MetaFAQs profiles American users of Google Assistant by their demographics, including age, gender, employment status, presence of children, and life stage. It also details the number of computers regularly used and the mixture of technology ecosystems.