Worldwide consumer broadband connections will grow from 323 mln connections in 2007 to 499 mln in 2012, according to Gartner. Worldwide consumer broadband connections penetrated 18% of households in 2007, and by 2012, households with a broadband connection will reach 25%. Five countries exceeded 60% broadband penetration into the home in 2007; and, this is [...]

There were 253 mln Chinese Internet users in June 2008, China Internet Network Information Centre reported. Internet penetration in China is still at 19.1%. 214 mln, or 84.7% of all users, are connecting via broadband.

Roughly 40% of all Internet users worldwide currently have mobile Internet access. The number of mobile Internet users will reach 546 mln in 2008, nearly twice as many as in 2006, and is forecast to surpass 1.5 bln worldwide in 2012, according to IDC.

According to the Forrester Research, although Gen Y is a small generation of 18- to 28-year-olds, comprising only 38 mln US adults, it sets the pace for technology adoption. 90% of Gen Yers own a PC, and 82% own a mobile phone. But it is technology use that sets this generation apart: Gen Y spends [...]

Core Search Entity Apr-08 May-08 Growth Total Core Search 10,582 10,777 2% Google Sites 6,514 6,664 2% Yahoo! Sites 2,159 2,221 3% Microsoft Sites 961 920 -4% AOL LLC 491 486 -1% Ask Network 458 486 6% Source: comScore

40% of US gamers are women, Entertainment Software Association says. 65% of American households play computer and video games. 38% of American homes have a video game console. The average game player is 35 years old. One out of four gamers are over age 50. Women age 18 or older represent a significantly greater portion [...]

Serious sports fans comprise 19% of overall online users and represent one of the most lucrative audiences online, JupiterResearch claims. With a tendency to spend more time online, watch more video online, and shop more online, sports sites must integrate the right mix of video and social experiences into their destinations. 21% of serious sports [...]

At a rate of more than three to one, retail electronics salespersons are recommending liquid crystal display (LCD) flat screen TVs instead of sets using plasma technology to shoppers who are seeking to purchase big screen televisions (sets with screens measuring 40 inches or larger), according to the J.D.Power and Associates. High proportion of recommendations [...]

Apr-08 May-08 Growth, % Rank Total Internet : Total Audience 190,728 190,858 1 N/A Proflowers.com 1,301 5,453 319 200 Vonage Holdings Corp 2,202 4,832 119 227 Vlaze Media Networks, Inc. 4,021 7,162 78 153 Discovery.com Sites 8,800 15,473 76 62 IRS.gov 23,354 31,113 33 20 United Health Group 3,999 5,302 33 203 Infospace Network 7,005 8,988 28 119 Groupe Lagardere 3,738 4,763 27 233 Hollywood.Net 6,111 7,665 25 141 Toyota 5,123 6,418 25 172 Source: comScore

Americans carry $2.56 trln in consumer debt, up 22% since 2000 alone, according to the Federal Reserve Board. The average household’s credit card debt is $8,565, up almost 15% from 2000. ?verage US student emerges from college carrying $20,000 in educational debt. Household debt, including mortgages and credit cards, represents 19% of household assets, compared [...]