Tablet ownership exceeds e-readers

It has been a long time coming, but tablet ownership has finally overtaken that of its simpler e-reader counterparts in the United States.

According to a report from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, nearly 10 percent of Americans own tablet computers. In contrast, e-reader ownership has slipped from 12 percent in May 2011 to 9 percent now, MSNBC reports.

The study also reveals trends in application downloading habits among tablet and smartphone users. According to Pew, 75 percent of tablet owners have downloaded apps onto their devices. Eighty-two percent of these also report downloading apps onto their mobile phones, suggesting a significant overlap between tablet and smartphone usage.

Pew notes that these trends suggest Americans are embracing mobile technology more now than ever. Devices like tablets, smartphones, e-readers and laptop PCs are becoming more popular, while desktop computers have taken a backseat for the time being.

Other studies have also shown monumental interest in mobile technology. Research firm Gartner, for example, estimates smartphone sales will reach 468 million units in 2011, and tablet sales will hit 63 million. As Americans continue to embrace these mobile devices, others are likely to fall by the wayside.