041111_tf_ipadtv.jpgRemember when the biggest criticism of the iPad was that it was "just a laptop without a keyboard"? It was viewed as a redundant device that was extravagant and unnecessary for nearly every household. But now that 15 million of Apple's tablet computers—plus several million iPad competitors like the Motorola XOOM—have made their way into idle hands, we can see all that criticism was right. Studies show that tablet owners have decreased their use of their home computer and—get this—their TV set.

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Google's mobile-centric AdMob service hosted a study to discover how owning a tablet affects s person's use of their other home tech, like their personal computer or television.

The results are enough to prove how addicting Angry Birds truly is:

  • Of 1,430 respondents, 77 percent said their PC use dropped after they got a tablet, with 43 percent saying they actually spend more time with their tablets than with their desktop or laptop.
  • 28 percent of survey participants said their tablet is their primary computer.
  • One in three survey respondents said they lock eyes with their tablets more than with their televisions.
  • 52 percent said they use their tablet more often than they listen to the radio.


OK, so Angry birds probably isn't solely to blame, even though more people (84 percent) of Google's survey respondents said they use their tablet to play games than the next most-popular use, searching for information (78 percent).

Since 82 percent of participants said they use their slates at home, there's a good chance that people are replacing pricey premium cable with apps like Netflix and Hulu.

What about you? Does your tablet get more play than your TV? Your desktop computer? Tell us why in the comments!


via Gizmodo

(Images: Flickr member John Ong licensed for use under Creative Commons, Flickr member takgoti licensed for use under Creative Commons)