E-Reader usage continues to grow in the United States and it is predicted that by 2020 over 93 million people will own a Kindle, Kobo or Nook. One of the big reason why e-readers remain so popular is that consumers prefer them to tablets and phones for reading e-books. E-readers often have a longer battery life, glare-free screens that make them easier to read, and are very affordable.
The vast majority of e-reader owners tend to belong to two major age demographics, Gen X and baby boomers. “There is a subset of consumers, particularly those 65 and older, who are looking for an affordable portable device that provides an enjoyable reading experience,” said eMarketer senior analyst Cathy Boyle. “E-readers’ lower price point and single-focus functionality are attractive to those consumers.”
I think is comforting to know that e-reader ownership continues to rise in the United States. Many people thought that with the rise of tablet and smartphone adoption it would destroy them, but there remains a dedicated base of users that are totally enamored with e-readers.
Michael Kozlowski has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past twelve years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.