By the end of 2012, 60 percent of U.S. broadband households owned at least one app-enabled consmer electronic device. With connected device ownership at mainstream levels, there is a solid foundation for app development and rapid growth in app economies.

Of the primary devices used to access apps, smartphones have the highest penetration rates. Since 2010, however, newer app platforms such as tablets and smart TVs have experienced notable growth. Tablet adoption increased 208 percent from 2011 to 2012, and smart-TV penetration took off in 2011, increasing by 42 percent over 2010.

As connected device penetration rises, so does consumer usage of content outside of traditional channels. Parks Associates estimates smartphone and tablet app downloads in North America will reach nearly 7 billion by the end of this year.

The availability of connected apps has affected consumer media habits. For example, Parks Associates research finds consumers are increasingly using mobile devices and second-screen apps as alternatives to traditional remote controllers and interactive program guides while watching TV. Thirty-six percent of smartphone owners and 35 percent of tablet owners regularly use these apps to search for product/service information while watching TV, and over one-third search for show-related information or check TV listings.

From the article, "Grabbing the Mobile App Brass Ring" by Heather Way.

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