A sizeable share of the online public live alone, especially in Germany, yet also in the US, UK, and Japan. This research finding has implications for technology marketers, since our TUP data also shows that one-person households behave differently than those with many people, especially with children. Solo households buy technology products less often, have fewer products and services, and have different needs. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1107_alon] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Households
American and German household size associated with device newness
Americans and Germans who live alone or with just one other person tend to have older devices compared to those in bigger households. For instance, 41% of Americans in households with four or more people got their main device in the last year. This is more than the 28% of Americans in smaller households of one or two people. This trend also holds true in Germany. But in the UK, Japan, and China, there’s less of a difference.
One factor behind this is that larger households often have kids. Having children in the household is linked to using technology more actively and being more open to new tech products and services. This MetaFAQs is based on TUP 2023 results.
Gaming trends and user profile
Online adults are deeply engaged in various forms of entertainment, particularly gaming. Over half of American adults use their connected devices for playing games, watching videos, and listening to music, like online adults worldwide. Despite temporary disruption due to the pandemic, the game-playing rate bounced back and grew gradually, indicating its popularity as a staple pastime. This is based on our TUP/Technology User Profile 2022 survey of 13,641 online adults across the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China, as well as similarly-sized waves from 2019.
Nevertheless, the usage of specialized gaming equipment like game consoles, gaming PCs, or VR headsets has remained limited. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft’s Xbox remain the global market leaders in consoles, each resonating with specific demographic groups and geographical locations. Gaming activities are part of the regular life of most online adults and span all age groups, with younger generations showing a particularly high adoption rate of newer technologies.
Despite a strong focus on gaming, more online adults use their devices for other entertainment activities like watching videos or streaming music. The global demand for gaming, whether casual or immersive, remains substantial, offering growth opportunities. With Apple recently entering the VR/AR/MR headset market, the industry is primed for potential expansion beyond its niche focus. Manufacturers may need to reconsider their current gaming-focused strategies to seize emerging opportunities effectively and broaden their market reach.
This TUPdate looks into the trend around game-playing with connected devices (smartphones, computers, tablets, game consoles), and the use of specialized game equipment (gaming PCs, game consoles). It profiles game-players by their age generation groups, household composition, and presence of children.
Home computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Fewer Americans actively use a home computer than in 2018 before the pandemic. With each passing year, Americans in nearly every sociodemographic group have reduced their active use of a home computer. Purchase intentions, however, have foretold of a potential market composition shift with a resurgence of interest among some of the groups with the lowest usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned home computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Any home tower desktop computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Home tower desktop computers have declined in active usage during the pandemic. Most remaining current users are older Americans or not employed outside the household. That may change soon. Purchase plans show strong interest growth among users with the lowest active usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use and plan to purchase a home tower desktop computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Any home desktop computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
The active use of home desktop computers has declined during the pandemic. The largest group of users are older Americans or not employed outside the household. That may change soon. Purchase plans show strong interest growth among younger adults – those with the lowest active usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use and plan to purchase a home desktop computer along several lines: traditionally advantaged and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, life stage, employment status, and age.
Home Apple computer usage by socioeconomic groups
Apple home computers grew in usage during the pandemic only to shrink below pre-pandemic levels. The shape and composition of the active Apple home computer user base shifted away from historically advantaged and younger Americans.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned home Apple computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
iPhone usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
The Apple iPhone continues to be a product for upper socioeconomic groups, both active users as well as those aspiring to have newer iPhones. Traditionally advantaged groups have higher iPhone market penetration rates than those historically disadvantaged. During the pandemic, iPhone adoption faltered among disadvantaged groups, with 2022 showing a return to broadening penetration.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use or intend to use an iPhone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Profile of Americans with the oldest tablets
Tablets have the opportunity to return to broader use, and yet even long-time users are not keeping up with the newest models. Who’s holding onto the oldest? 10% of all online American adults are using the oldest tablets. This MetaFAQs profiles online Americans with the oldest tablets by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); and technology ecosystem entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0806_old] in TUP Lenses: Devices, Tablets, User Profile.
Profile of Americans who recently acquired a tablet
While the penetration of tablets has shrunk overall, some Americans are leading the movement towards expansion. Who are these recent buyers? 4% of all online American adults reported having recently acquired a tablet. This MetaFAQs profiles recent tablet acquirers by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; household size; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); technology ecosystem involvement and entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0805_new_] in TUP Lenses: Devices, Tablets, User Profile.