Tablet owners spending more time online, study finds

Internet habits are changing with the times, as more consumers access the web from more devices for longer periods of time. According to a study from market research firm Knowledge Networks, tablet computers are on the forefront of this shift.

Based on a survey of more than 2,500 consumers, the report shows that tablet owners spend an average of 4 hours and 19 minutes on the internet each day. By comparison, all consumers, including PC and smartphone owners, spend about 2 hours and 55 minutes online daily, Knowledge Networks reports.

However, Knowledge Networks also claims tablets don't actually account for the majority of online use for tablet owners. Mobile devices only represent 38 percent of the average tablet owner's online activity, suggesting that traditional PCs still account for a large portion of tablet users' internet habits.

On average, tablet owners spend 55 minutes per day accessing the web with their tablets. About half of that time is spent on social networks, playing games and using search engines, according to the report.

As the tablet's popularity continues to grow, some have suggested the technology will reshape the way people browse the web. One of the more anticipated developments is the advent of voice-controlled search, which could effectively eliminate the need for search bars and text-based browsing.