Smartphones, tablets not replacing computer finds report

According to research from Prosper Mobile Insights, the personal computer or laptop is still favored by most mobile consumers. The survey found that 56% of mobile consumers still use their computers to logon to the Internet and make purchases, even though many are becoming more comfortable making purchases directly from a mobile phone or tablet.

And, although many are quite attached to their devices, they are more concerned with service plans – data usage, 3/4G connectivity, etc. – than with having the very latest smartphone or tablet.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded here.

Although smartphones and tablets aren’t replacing computers just yet, they are using mobile devices for more and more actions. For example, more than 50% of survey respondents report they are ‘somewhat’ or ‘very comfortable’ making ecommerce purchases from a mobile device. Already many consumers are using their smart-devices rather than traditional alarm clocks (61%), GPS units (52%) and digital cameras (44%).

And don’t think Ma Bell will continue handing out new telephone numbers as more people purchase smarthphones and tablets. About 40% report they’ve given up traditional land-lines and more than one-third are using mobile phones or tablets rather than MP3 players or video cameras.

Of the 234 million American consumers with mobile phones, 78 million are now smartphone subscribers. Those with smartphones are still texting most often with their device, but nearly 40% are now using mobile browsers and downloading apps. As for where they surf mobilly, 28% are accessing their social networks.