Sociodemographically distinct groups vary in composition, technology devices and services, and how they use what they have. Most advantaged groups have bolstered their technology collection during the pandemic and increased their usage levels. Most disadvantaged segments, meanwhile, have used what they have at hand more so than acquiring newer technology. Older millennials have the wealthiest collection of technology devices, well above that of every other age group. This TUP Highlights report includes the following sections: usage segments, segments, and trends in segments.
Highlights: Devices
There has been a sea change in which connected devices people use as well as how they use them. This TUP Highlights report details the trends in device ownership, the shifts between technology ecosystems, and market penetration levels. It spells out the major activities for each type of device, and how usage has changed. Furthermore, it details how many employees use personal devices for remote work.
Technology wealth of American generations
Which American generation has the largest collection of connected devices? How much does each generation have of the active installed base? This TUP analysis reports on the total number of connected devices – mobile phones, PCs, tablets, and game consoles – by generational cohort – GenZ, Younger/Older Millennials, Younger/Older GenX, Younger/Older Boomers, and before.
Don’t let seniors fool you as they Zoom from behind [TUPdate, MetaFacts Pulse Survey]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, May 5, 2020
Ageism is widespread in the tech industry. Many younger computer experts had a good laugh when a recent call went out for COBOL programmers, piling snark on classic tools as passe. That was until these relative newbies realized how many citizens would be left waiting for financial support after the recent surge in demand for unemployment checks. Younger computer experts were even more chagrined when they heard about the hiring bonuses being offered and realized they did not have relevant skills.
Home PC trends – highlights from TUP/Technology User Profile 2019 – US [Highlights]
Home PCs are very much alive and being well-used. Home PC usage rates are stable, both in overall penetration and in the number being used. Nearly all online American adults regularly use a home PC, yet they see them differently. Younger Americans see them as adding to their entertainment, while for older adults it helps…
Retro to the future? Turntable players as predictors [TUPdate]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, October 30, 2018 Vinyl turntables?! Windows XP?! Basic cell phones?! Is it true that users of older technology are uninterested in new technology? We tested that hypothesis using several indicators, and found that this stereotype is partly true, and partly not true. We’ve found an interesting group that spans the…
Digital feathernesters – it’s not only generational [TUPdate]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, May 3, 2018 Millennials have been getting a bad rap lately, with pundits suggesting that they’re squandering their financial futures on avocado toast or cold brew. While our TUP study doesn’t track café treats, we’re finding robust spending on technology devices and services by millennials. Among millennials, homeowners outspend their…
Smartphones rise, PCs and printers float, tablets waver – user trends [TUPdate]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, March 23, 2018
The number of connected adults continues to rise in the US. Based on our TUP/Technology User Profile 2017 wave, there are 212.6 million adults who regularly connect to the Internet using a PC, mobile phone, tablet, or game console. This number is up 18.9 million from the 193.8 million adults we reported in our TUP 2013 wave.
While some of the increase has come from a growing adult population, the share of adults actively connected has also grown, due in large part to the increasing use of smartphones.
The use of tablets such as Apple’s iPad has also expanded since 2013, although declined somewhat in 2017.
Voice assistants-does age matter? [MetaFAQs]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, March 13, 2018 Age matters when it comes to voice assistant use, and it’s overly simplistic to say that they’re mostly being used by younger adults. Yes, there’s a strong age difference between active voice assistant users, former users, and those who’ve never even given one a try. Age by…
The Gift of a Home PC [TUPdate]
Dan Ness, Principal Analyst, MetaFacts, November 3, 2017
Many home PCs arrive wrapped with a bow, having been a gift from some well-meaning friend or family member. In our most recent wave of TUP/Technology User Profile (2017 US), we found that 11% of recently acquired (2016 or 2017) home PCs were acquired as a gift.
Many of the gift Home PCs came with more than wrapping, with a higher-than-average share bundled with a scanner, monitor/display, and printer. It stands to reason that these generous donors are including their used scanners, monitors, and printers.