In his Reflections of a Newsosaur blog, industry veteran Alan Mutter examines a new survey from ITZ Belden that suggests there is reason for some optimism among news organizations in the digital age.
In the survey of users of three newspaper sites, users also happened to be significant techies. The survey found a disproportionate number of them happen to own smartphones or intend to buy the impending Apple iPad tablet.
Compared to other surveys, the ITZ Belden one found above-average numbers on intention to own a smartphone if one weren't already owned, too.
Some 30 per cent of news site visitors said they intended to own an iPad. If that were a universal number, and not just a news site visitor number, Apple would be assured a very sustainable future indeed.
Now, three newspaper sites' users do not a survey fully make. But it's clear in this data a connection exists between a news consumer and a desire for top technology. Mutter notes it's necessary for news companies to generate better digital applications to take advantage of the interest.