Tablets: The antidote to boredom at the airport

For any weary traveler, tablets may seem as though they were designed specifically for use while waiting at an airport.

The situation is perfect for a tablet -- users have WiFi access, outlets for charging a battery and an abundance of time to kill. Throw in the potential for a flight delay, and some tablet owners may never even consider going to the airport without the device.

Digital reading apps, such as Aldiko, Book Catalogue and Kindle -- each of which is free on Google's Android operating system -- put access to hundreds of thousands of books in the hands of tablet owners who like to read to pass the time.

Movie and TV lovers can also use their tablet to access Netflix or HBO apps and enjoy the high-quality display screen to watch new releases while they await a flight. Similarly, those looking for music to pass the time can turn to mobile apps for Pandora radio or Spotify music-streaming services.

Or, for those who get bored waiting by themselves, popular social networking sites Twitter and Facebook offer mobile apps that put their friends at their fingertips. In fact, Facebook is on the verge of releasing a new tablet-specific app, which is expected to make social networking even more engaging on the device.

These features may be driving more tech enthusiasts toward tablets, as a recent survey conducted by research firm In-Stat found 38 percent of respondents own a tablet, compared to just 26 percent who own an e-reader.