SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire) - Consumer awareness of tablet computers is at an all time high, thanks to the Apple iPad launch. After close to a decade of negligible demand, the tablet market is finally gaining mass market appeal. So what do future owners plan to use their tablets for? New In-Stat (www.in-stat.com) research identifies the top three ranked uses for future tablet owners as email, personal information management, and multimedia consumption (audio, video and gaming).

"Last year's small crop of tablets was being touted as potential e-readers; a way to compete against the extremely popular Amazon Kindle lineup," says Stephanie Ethier, Senior Analyst. "But this next generation of tablets is clearly being marketed as consumer multimedia consumption devices positioned to compete squarely against the Apple iPad."

Recent research findings include:

• Worldwide tablet shipments are expected to reach over 58 million units in 2014.
• Nearly 55% of survey respondents that own tablets spend 9 hours or more using their tablet each week.
• Over 40% of future tablet purchasers plan to buy an Apple iPad.
• The strongest shipment growth begins in the latter portion of our forecast period.

New In-Stat research, US Consumers' Attitudes and Behaviors Toward the Emerging Tablet Market (#IN1104919ID), surveys US consumers to determine attitudes and behaviors toward the burgeoning tablet market. Among the survey questions asked were:

• What brand of tablet do you own?
• What purposes do you use your tablet most often for?
• What types of free applications have you downloaded to your tablet?
• Do you subscribe to a cellular service for your tablet?
• Do you plan to purchase a tablet in the next 12 months?
• What brand of tablet will you purchase?
• How much are you willing to spend for your tablet? 

About In-Stat

In-Stat's market intelligence combines technical, market and end-user research and database models to analyze the Mobile Internet and Digital Entertainment ecosystems. Our insights are derived from a deep understanding of technology impacts, nearly 30 years of history in research and consulting, and direct relationships with leading players in each of our core markets. In-Stat provides its research through reports, annual subscriptions, consulting and advisory services to inform critical decisions.