The inexorable rise of the tablet

To put that into perspective, Apple launched the original iPad in the UK on 28th May 2010 - just five years ago.

Tablets are particularly popular among the 35-54 age group, with 64% of people in that age bracket owning one. And they are also widely used by children, with 71% of 5-15 year-olds having access to a tablet at home by the end of 2014, up from just over half (51%) in 2013.

Kate Reeve, director of consumer research at Ofcom, says: "In just five years, tablets have become a must-have device for millions of UK households. We're using them to catch up with the news, watch our favourite soaps and keep the kids entertained."

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.