Tablets for travel on the rise, study finds

More people are using tablet computers and e-readers when on the road, in the air and on the rails, as the technology is proving to be more convenient for travelers than other devices, like smartphones and laptops, according to a new study from the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University.

USA Today reports that the study found tablet and e-reader use in planes, trains and buses increased by more than 50 percent between 2011 and 2012. This is especially evident with air travel, as more than 1 out of every 12 passengers were seen using a tablet in December.

Tablets and e-readers have several advantages for travelers, whether they're flying across the country or simply taking the train for their morning commutes. The technology is more compact than a laptop and generally boasts a longer battery life. The near-constant connectivity can also be a huge benefit for businesspeople who need to get work done when out of the office.

Many airports and train stations have responded to this growing use of mobile technology by offering public WiFi in their facilities. According to a study from WiFi services provider Boingo Wireless, tablets and smartphones now account for 60 percent of WiFi use in airports.