Over the past two years, internet users have consistently adopted mobile products, and switched their entertainment consumption from physical products to streaming content. Because of constant access to the web on a widening number of devices, adults online are also moving swiftly toward using online resources to encapsulate much of their personal expression and communication. These and other macro trends in behavior related to technology are charted in this report via precise data points on CE (consumer electronics) hardware and online activities.

The report trends ownership of CE (consumer electronics) products and online behavior among the online US adult population. The report builds on Mintel’s Digital Trends Fall – US, September 2014, Digital Trends Spring – US, March 2014, and Digital Trends Fall – US, September 2013.

For the purposes of this report, consumer electronics consist of physical products that do not require professional installation. This definition excludes automotive electronics and home security systems and includes tablets, computers, cell phones, televisions, cameras, portable and digital media players, surround sound systems, Blu-ray/DVD players, wearable fitness devices, and gaming consoles.

Online behavior is trended in four categories: (1) media consumption, (2) organizational and information tools, (3) personal expression and communication tools, and (4) behavior related to online shopping.

Data results for multicultural groups in the US have been separately published in three other Mintel reports: Digital Trends – Hispanics – US, July 2015, Digital Trends – Asians – US, July 2015, and Digital Trends – Black Consumers – US, July 2015.