The GlobalWebIndex Streaming Device study for Q1 2013 reports that Android tablet users outnumbered iPad users last quarter by 34 million, with 156 million Android tablet users compared to 122 million iPad users. The study surveyed over 180,000 Internet users in 31 markets, including the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific countries, examining global device and app usage. According to the report, tablet use has surged 282 percent since 2011, Android is the most popular smartphone OS worldwide, and games still reign supreme for smartphone app downloads.

Q1 Sees Android Tablet Users Outnumber iPad Users

While a recent Chitika report claimed that iPads were driving more than 80 percent of tablet traffic in the US and Canada, GlobalWebIndex’s study discovered that the number of global Android tablet users surpassed the number of iPad users by 34 million in the first quarter of 2013. The combined number of Android and iPad users accounts for 75 percent of all global tablet users, with Windows 8 only winning 9.6 million tablet users in Q1.

GlobalWebIndex claims that tablet usage has climbed 282 percent during the last two years, and predicts that nearly 70 percent of global tablet users will have an Android tablet by 2016.

The research shows that tablet users are more likely to be male, middle aged and wealthier when compared to the average Internet user. The study also found that tablet users are 55 percent more likely to acknowledge the brands that play a significant role in their online experience, and are 43 percent more likely to discuss new products and services with family and friends.

Android Expected To Win 80% Of Global Smartphone Users By 2016

GlobalWebIndex expects 80 percent of global smartphone users will be on an Android OS by 2016, a 20 percent increase from the current 60 percent of global smartphone users on the Android platform. The study points out that iOS still holds a strong position in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, with Apple owning 53 percent of the smartphone market in the US.

With 543.77 million global users, Android dominated all other platforms in Q1 2013, far above the 144.13 million iOS users, 73 million Sybian users, 56 million BlackBerry users and 48 million Windows smartphone users. Interestingly enough, 76 million smartphone users reported they did not know their phone’s OS.

The study reported 18 percent of smartphone users are, “…more likely to feel insecure leaving the house without their mobile than their wallet,” when compared to the average global Internet user. They are also 17 percent more likely to subscribe to a service rather than pay to own (GlobalWebIndex cited Spotify and Netflix as examples), and are 15 percent more likely to be career oriented.

As smartphones become more commonplace globally, whether or not someone has a smartphone doesn’t necessarily depend on the owner’s income. However, the GlobalWebIndex research shows that smartphone owners are more likely younger than the average Internet user and are more often male.

Location & Social Apps Win Most Downloads On Tablets & Phones

While smartphone users are most likely to download a game app, location and social apps lead for the number of app downloaded on smartphones and tablets combined. The study found that Google Maps was the No. 1 most downloaded app on tablets and smartphones last month, with 54 of users downloading the location app. Facebook ranked No. 2, followed by YouTube.

Of all the devices used to access the Internet globally, the majority of survey participants still rely on a personal computer or laptop.

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