Third of iPad owners have not used the App Store

by Steven Mostyn - Oct 22 2010, 07:15

The iPad may well be selling like hot cakes while forging forward as 2010's most desirable tech gadget, but a new study examining the user base attached to Apple's popular tablet has found that a third of owners have never downloaded content from the App Store.

According to market research specialist Nielsen, 32 percent of iPad owners are yet to download a software application for their device, even though the iPad itself is geared heavily towards the multitude of games, tools, and productivity platforms available through Apple's online outlet.

Of the 68 percent that are actively using the App Store, Nielsen says five percent are only attracted to the store's free applications, while 63 percent claim to have splashed the cash for an app at least once.

Given the fun element associated the iPad's touch-screen user interface and its built-in accelerometer technology, it's perhaps not surprising to learn that 62 percent of app buyers have purchased videogames, making gaming apps on Apple's device more popular than those offering digital books (54 percent) and music (50 percent).

Nielsen's survey, which was conducted across 5,000 people equipped with a variety of Internet-enabled devices, also found that 63 percent of all iPad users are aged below 35, while only 35 percent are female. It also revealed that around 51 percent of iPad owners have degree-level educations.

While some people may find an iPad purchase to be beyond their means (prices range between $499 USD and $729 USD), those prices are evidently no obstacle for the 25 percent of iPad owners that make more than $100,000 USD per year.

Recently hailed as 'Gadget of the Year' at the annual T3 Awards in London, the Apple iPad has sold in excess of seven million units since launching in April of 2010.

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