Mobile phone use surpasses readership of print media for the first time ever

If it seems like you see people transfixed to their smartphones whereever you go, you're not just imagining things. The average U.S. adult is spending more time with their mobile devices than ever before, and according to a recent study, for the first time ever, Americans are spending more time with their phones than with all types of print media combined.

Communications firm eMarketer's yearly study of how Americans consume media content shows that, in 2011, the average adult spent 65 minutes per day accessing content with mobile devices. This is more than double the amount of time adults spent with their phones just 3 years ago. 

The fact that people are spending more time with their mobile devices should come as no surprise. It's easier than ever before to read traditional print content on your phone, from anywhere at any time. Apple's iOS 5 allows users the ability to easily access popular magazines and newspapers via the Newsstand feature and other news apps. Users of Android phones can do the same with apps such as Next Issue.

The sharp rise in mobile content viewing, predictably, has been accompanied by a sharp drop in the time people spend with magazines and newspapers. The average U.S. adult spends 33% less time reading newspapers now than they did in 2008, and 36% less time reading magazines.

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