Tablet popularity growing among Latinos

A survey from Zpryme Research and Consulting finds that Hispanics are gravitating toward advanced mobile technology, with many looking to smartphones and tablet computers to meet their needs.

According to the study, which surveyed more than 500 Hispanics, one out of four respondents plans to spend between $251 and $1,000 on mobile devices. The numbers are slightly higher with second-generation Hispanics, 28 percent of whom intend to spend between those amounts.

In total, 19 percent of survey-takers say they plan to purchase tablets and 19 percent say they will buy smartphones. First-generation Hispanics are more enthusiastic about tablet computers, with 29 percent saying they will purchase the devices.

"Many Hispanics see the tablet and smartphone as a gateway to the technology world that not so long ago was held captive by expensive entry-level desktops and laptops," Ariel Coro, founder of TuTecnologia, tells NBCLatino. "This is a similar phenomenon to the one seen a couple of years ago with netbooks. Nowadays, tablets are more convenient, portable, affordable and even easier to use."

Zpryme's findings reflect a much wider trend. As the tablet's capabilities continue to expand and new models are introduced to the market, more groups are adopting the technology. Research firm Gartner expects more than 100 million tablets to ship worldwide in 2012.