Tablets: An addiction people love to have

Tablet owners are finding it increasingly difficult -- or at least less pleasant -- to go through life without their mobile devices, according to an October 2011 study from media communications agency UM London.

The study, which involves a poll of some 5,000 consumers from the UK, finds that 8 percent of adults now own a tablet. Of those, 43 percent say the device has improved their lives, and the same percentage admit to being addicted to their tablets.

People are taking their tablets everywhere, the study notes. More than 60 percent of respondents say they use their tablets on a daily basis. Forty-five percent say they have shown off their tablets to friends and family. And 27 percent even admit to taking their mobile devices into the restroom.

Tablet usage spans a wide range of activities, including web browsing, news consumption, shopping, games, music and more. Forty-one percent of respondents consider their tablets to be toys, but the devices are also being used more for work-related tasks, such as videoconferencing and accessing work email.

Currently, tablet computers are primarily used for media consumption, both in the home and the workplace. Moving forward, many expect the devices to take on new roles, including web and application design, among others.