Mobile apps overtake PC Web usage in U.S.
Posted: Feb 28, 2014 6:31 PM CDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 1:40 PM CDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Americans used smartphones and tablets more than PCs to access the Internet last month -- the first time that has ever happened.
Mobile devices accounted for 55% of Internet usage in the United States in January. Apps made up 47% of Internet traffic and 8% of traffic came from mobile browsers, according to data from comScore, cited Thursday by research firm Enders Analysis. PCs clocked in at 45%.
The shift follows a freefall in PC sales, which suffered their worst decline in history last year.
Smartphone adoption, meanwhile, increased 39%, acording to research firm IDC. This trend will likely continue thanks to improved user experience on mobile apps and the expansion of high-speed 4G access, said Andrew Lipsman, vice president of marketing and insights at comScore.
As of January, 55% of American adults had smartphones, while 42% owned tablets, according to the Pew Research Center.