Connected devices like tablets and Smartphone have taken over conventional fixed devices like desktops and laptops, according to an InMobi survey.

The survey which covers more than 2,800 respondents across the country, said that Smartphone still remain the most preferred for entertainment and communication, while tablets are soon catching up. In what could be termed as technology adoption, the survey revealed that 54% of Indian desktop users & 56% Smartphone users are likely to purchase a tablet in next six months.

The survey revealed that 80 per cent of respondents said the mobile/smartphones was their primary device while 13 per cent stated that the laptops/desktops primary device and 7 per cent mentioned the tablets. According to the study, the average connected Indian consumes five hours of media daily with mobile representing 33% of it.

The study also revealed that over 50% of Indians spend at least one hour a day accessing media content from their tablet devices and 66% of tablet users found it easier to access content via tablets compared to smartphones and laptops. In India, like smartphones there is a high dual screen behavior with over 40% of tablet owners using their tablets while watching TV.

Mobile/smartphones were on top of the choice list as 46 per cent used it as the preferred device for communication, 43 per cent for entertainment and 40 per cent for information. For shopping, 32 per cent picked the mobile and 23 per cent the laptops/desktops as the next choice.

It was found that device purchase overshadowed other media consumption habits: 21 per cent of smartphone users read a book in print less, while 22 per cent watched less TV and 16 per cent reduced time on the Internet via a laptop. Thirty per cent of tablet purchasers read fewer books in print with 31 per cent watching lesser TV. In-store behaviour was also affected as 15.7 per cent of smartphone buyers and 16 per cent of tablet buyers visited a physical store less.

But users were finding interesting things to engage their connected time: Over 70% of users across all devices used their time on entertainment e.g. games, videos and music, communicating with friends, and finding information. Over 30-40% of Indian used their tablets across additional activities of shopping, business and banking.

InMobi partnered with Mobext, to conduct a study to better understand how consumers are using mobile connected devices in India, as mobile internet usage has surpassed desktop internet usage earlier this year.

Phalgun Raju, InMobi’s Regional Director and General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, indicated “The average Indian spends more time on their mobile device than on desktops or laptops. With the significant growth in tablet adoption, we see that tablets are used more frequently for a wider variety of activities compared to Smartphone, such as shopping, business communications and banking.”

“The frequency of Indians accessing media content several times a day using tablets is significantly higher than smartphones and laptops. We are seeing high growth in demand for tablet and smartphone related mobile rich media campaigns from brands on our premium inventory in India as they allow for highly innovative engagement experiences for consumers throughout their day. Tablets in particular provide an opportunity to reach multiple decision makers and audiences in an Indian household when they are shopping or researching for information,” she added.