Multi-function tablets have become consumers' preferred e-reading devices, overtaking dedicated e-readers for the first time, according to the Book Industry Study Group (BISG)'s Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading survey. The survey is an ongoing study conducted with book research firm Bowker.
Results from the first installment in Volume Four of the survey show 44 percent of e-book readers prefer a tablet, up from 37 percent in the August 2012 survey. During the same period, respondents' choice of a dedicated e-reader fell from 49 percent to 42 percent. The study suggests the trend will continue as respondents' intent to purchase a dedicated e-reader has dropped, while intent to purchase has remained consistent for tablets, at about 37 percent.
Understanding device use is important, as the survey reveals further correlation between device choice and genre preference, with certain fiction genres continuing to dominate on dedicated e-readers, while some specialised nonfiction genres perform better on other devices.
The survey also reveals that those who prefer dedicated e-readers were more likely to select general fiction, mystery, literary fiction, or romance as key e-book genres than users of other types of devices. How-to guides and manuals were more popular with those who prefer reading e-books on personal computers. Consumers who prefer e-reading via smartphones were more likely to read travel books than either tablet or dedicated e-reader users.
The study also shows the consistent upward swing in preference for e-books over print. About 82 percent of Power Buyers (consumers who acquire e-books on a weekly basis) say they prefer e-books over print and nearly 70 percent of Non-Power Buyers say they now prefer e- over print.
