Smartphone growth highest with 55-64 year olds

Chart from NielsenI've noticed that a lot people in Durham and Chapel Hill are really switched-on, and if they're not, they want to be. It used to be the case that people in younger age brackets would carry smartphones, typically of the iPhone, Android or BlackBerry varieties. They still do, but recently I've noticed a strong trend in Durham towards those in older age groups wanting to know more about smartphones.

This is borne out in a recent Nielsen report which shows that smartphone growth is now highest in the 55-64 age group. My own parents are a testament to that having recently embraced smartphones and, soon after, Apple's iPad. Just a few years ago, the idea of having more than one computing device in a household seemed like an extravagant luxury. Now, if used right, owning multiple devices is central to saving us time, helping us stay in touch and entertaining us. 

Nowadays, most people I meet in both Durham and Chapel Hill own at least one computer and a smartphone. Families in both Durham and Chapel Hill often own multiple computers, and access to the Internet from anywhere within the home is viewed as a necessity. That's great news for kids in those households, who have an unparalleled opportunity to develop the computing and Internet research skills which will be essential for their future careers.