Mobiles are Most-Owned Gadget

Mobile phones are by far the most popular device among American adults, especially for adults under the age of 65. Some 85 percent of adults own cell phones overall. Taking pictures (done by 76 percent of cell owners) and text messaging (done by 72 percent of cell owners) are the two non-voice functions that are widely popular among all cell phone users.

Desktop computers are most popular with adults ages 35-65, with 69 percent of Millennials, 65 percent of "Younger Boomers" and 64 percent of "Older Boomers" owning these devices.

Millennials are the only generation that is more likely to own a laptop computer or netbook than a desktop: 70 percent own a laptop, compared with 57 percent who own a desktop.

While almost half of all adults own an mp3 player like an iPod, this device is by far the most popular with Millennials, the youngest generation. Some 74 percent of adults ages 18 to 34 own an mp3 player, compared with 56 percent of the next oldest generation, Gen X (roughly between the ages of 33 or 35 up to 43 or 46).

Game consoles are significantly more popular with adults ages 18 to 46, with 63% owning these devices.

Some five percent of all adults own an e-book reader.

Main findings | Pew Internet & American Life Project

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Teens Text Because it is Faster than Voice, Also More Fun

It would come as no surprise that teens and many younger users have a preference for texting rather than calling. In 2010 a Nielsen survey suggested that the overwhelming reason SMS resonates with teens is that it is easier than making voice calls.

About 22 percent of teens surveyed said texting was easier than making a call, while 20 percent said it also was faster than making a voice call. Voice activity has decreased 14 percent among teens, who average 646 minutes talking on the phone per month.

While voice consumption rises and peaks at age 24, only adults over 55 talk less than teens. Teen females, who are more social with their phones, average about 753 minutes per month, while males use around 525 minutes.

In 2009, teens texted instead of calling because it was fun. They still think it is fun. But beyond that, it also seems to be seen as a better way to communicate.

U.S. Teen Mobile Report: Calling Yesterday, Texting Today, Using Apps Tomorrow | Nielsen Wire