My phone is 'dumb'

as in- it's too old to have apps and all that.  Don't think I don't want one!  But having said that, I would think that yes, that screen is just too small for any proper browsing.  Maybe a quick "here, lemme show you something I found" on my PC where I had space-and-time-to-dink-around kinda thing.

I'm curious as to how much of the MRH issue downloads are for PC (landscape), tablet (portrait) and for both- I would think many here want a 'big' version for the PC and a 'mobile' version for...bathroom reading(?).  Just curious about that...the downloads I mean, not the off-loads...

PC over phone

I use a PC still to read the magazine, mostly.  I've downloaded one for my Android phone, and while I didn't hate it, I do prefer to use the bigger screen just the same.  It is nice on the phone in a pinch, though, when you are stuck in an airport or something like that.

It's not either or

Mobile access of MRH is not an either-or situation, it's an *also*.

If they can, people prefer a larger view - that means PCs, Macs, laptops, and tablets. But when on the go, it's hard to beat the ease of pulling out your phone for a quick read while stuck somewhere.

The PC killer for consumption, however, is going to be the tablet. With the ultrahigh-resolution retina displays becoming vogue on tablets, and the fact you can read them easily in your easy chair, in bed, and in the bathroom, they trump PCs for consumption and simple content creation like doing emails or posting to online forums.

PCs still are easier for heavy-duty content creation, like creating new software or involved digital publications like MRH or our eBooks. If you are mostly a consumer of content rather than a heavy-duty content creator, when your PC comes due for replacement, a tablet becomes a great option because it's cheaper, easier to use, and it's more versatile as a consumption device.

The smartphone is the one always-on, always-with-you device, and when it's all you have at the moment, it's wonderful to be able to bring up MRH to pass the time constructively instead of being totally bored.

So don't see the smartphone popularity as a replacement, it's more of an extension for when you're on-the-go - it is called "mobile web access" for a reason, you know.

Interesting mobile phone stats ...

The Rise of Mobile

And therein lay the rising popularity of mobile. The consumers outnumber the (quality) creators by an enormous margin. Microsoft with Windows 8 on PCs is learning this lesson the hard way.

My wife's ancient XP PC which she is totally happy with will be replaced with a tablet soon due to MS discontinuation of XP support. She is 100% consumer 0% creator so it fits her needs perfectly. Mobility is an added bonus.

Tablet

I prefer the tablet over the phone because of size. It is a little easier to read and study the photos and diagrams on the tablet than it is on the phone. That said, I have used my phone many times to pull up something I was thinking about quickly, rather than go get the tablet.

The tablet offers many of the advantages of the computer, specifically the larger size and easier readability, but still allows for some portability. Since work keeps me on the road a bit, having MRH on the tablet is pretty handy, and I can read it on the road. I download each issue when it comes out, so that I do not have to worry about having WiFi or Cellular Data available. Since I download the standard edition, I am unable to access the links without some sort of connectivity, but I can at least read the issue. If there are interesting links, I usually come back to them later when I am connected again, and when I have more time.

I still use my computer to log into the discussion boards, as I find it is far easier to read and type responses on the computer. For accessing information, the phone and tablet are great portable resources, but for typing more than short replies, I find typing on them a bit cumbersome and slow.

Since I got my iPhone....

I use it to keep up with and read the MRH forum site while on breaks and lunch at work but otherwise I find it cumbersome to post with and I have not even tried to actually read the magazine  with it. I wait to post  or to read the mag here on my large desktop PC.

Michael

I use my iPad almost exclusively

My wife and I are almost

I'm retired..... I gave up my

I'm retired..... I gave up my cell phone years AGO!!!  Don't need it if someone wants to get ahold of me they can leave a message on my land line answering machine.

Grand kids will do it to you ...

Don't need a cell phone ...

... to talk to the kids; plenty of other ways to communicate.  Like Craig, I'm retired; I was tied to a cell phone at work, I am happy to be free of that leash.  

I am a bit surprised the number of mobile users is not higher ... I am certain that in Sri Lanka, it must be; as other than Internet Cafe's, a desktop PC is not very common.  The vast majority of folks here own cell phones (land lines are not even available in most rural areas); and nearly every cell phone sold here has Internet capability.

ugh....

I know the specs and abilities, I am one of the droid users here

We're actually tracking close to general population ...

We're actually tracking close to the general population, approaching 20% ... see:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244639/Mobile_browser_usage_share_hits_20_for_the_first_time

Yes ...

... I meant 'overall' Internet browsing, not just MRH readers; again based upon what I see in Sri Lanka.

I do wonder how they measure 'activity' though ... bandwidth consumed?  Time 'on line'?  Web pages viewed?  I would venture that in Sri Lanka more folks use mobile phones to access the Internet than Desktop PC's; however, I'd also guess that those who do use Desktop PC's spend more time 'on line' with their PC than they do a mobile device.

The demise of the land line

Note:  this is an aside to the main discussion; just an FYI. ( If you want to discuss this, lets start a new thread. )

For those who rely on the land line, its days are numbered.

AT&T has a filing with FCC regarding dropping land line support by (they hope) 2016.  In my field (Fire prevention) we are now seeing a scramble to replace fire alarm dialers connected by wire, with cell technology.

I find the opposite to be true

I found my land line to be totally useless and stopped using it years ago.  I didn't have any corded phones anyway so it wasn't even like it was more secure. 

I really like the ability to send photos and video chat with relatives that I don't get to see in person very much.

More and more!

The lande-line..

I said earlier I have a 'dumb phone', but ...should we discount a landline???  If your power goes out, can you call anyone and let them know you're alive??  In our world of 'Here and Now at Our Fingertips'...what if you can't re-charge that there cell-phone thingy??  

I know, I know...times they are a' changnin'..but there's something to be said for a land-line.  It's on the way out, for sure...but that land-line, along with the rabbit-ears, CB-radio, HAM radio (maybe especially) is something that we may find we need in the future.  Until a month ago I kept my land-line in case the power went out...now, I've since gone full-cable from my internet and phone, so I may be screwed if/when the next ice storm hits.  Last time I was a victim it lasted 3 days without power..ANY power....but I had an old-fashioned land-line to let anyone know I was still alive!!

Sorry for the rant.

.but there's something to be said for a land-line

 I like the way they keep the signal contained instead of sending them all over the airways, at some point all these signals flying around will become noise pollution . But like catenary if the companies can save money by not using the best methods they'll do it the cheaper way....DaveB

...

I haven't had a land line in ten years and I stopped using the box PC in 2009...now it's strictly a laptop for me, with my mouse, whereas it's easier to replace a mouse versus the touchpad on a laptop, and a backup drive that doesn't see nearly enough use.

The phone went from a Nokia that I got around 2002, followed by a Motorola Razr-3 in 2007, and now a Galaxy SIII in 2012.  I find it amusing whereas for the older generation cell phones are a jail cell or a leash, for the younger generation the cell is freedom and life.  And we LOVE text because we can take our merry time to respond to the message, without the time consumption voice messages require in both speaking and listening.  Nope, we read...

The internet in my pocket is extremely handy when I'm anywhere but home, it beats carrying a tablet or the laptop.   At work, we're replacing laptops with iPads, they work so much nicer once you're used to them.  It takes about five minutes of use to be comfortable.

There's no going back at this point.

Land line power