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 percent of Internet usage in the United States in January. Apps made up 47 percent of Internet traffic and 8 percent of traffic came from mobile browsers, according to data from comScore, cited Thursday by research firm Enders Analysis. PCs clocked in at 45 percent.
The shift follows a freefall in PC sales, which suffered their worst decline in history last year.
Smartphone adoption, meanwhile, increased 39 percent, according 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 percent of American adults had smartphones, while 42 percent owned tablets, according to the Pew Research Center.
By James O’Toole