Despite being orphaned (according to some) by the charm of traditional printed books, ebooks continue to gain popularity in the eyes of readers.
According to a recent study conducted in Germany by the digital association Bitkom , 35% of people aged 14 to 29 read e-books . Among people aged 30 to 49, the percentage is 27%, and among readers aged 50 to 64, the proportion is 24%.
Despite the many advantages that e-books have, they do not reach a wider audience due to their high cost . In Germany, e-books are subject to a 19% VAT, while printed books are taxed at a value-added tax of just 7%.
On the other hand, 42% of those who still use e-books complain about the high cost of e-readers . Overall, price is not a determining factor when choosing between printed books or electronic books. And two thirds of readers clearly prefer the physical sensations that traditional paper books provide.
When listing the advantages of e-books, users highlight their permanent uruguay phone number availability (86%), their lack of physical space (70%) and their practicality when reading several books both inside and outside the home (62%).
Despite the growing popularity of ebooks, audiobooks are also gaining in popularity among readers . 31% of readers already opt for this format, which fits the needs of multitasking enthusiasts like a glove.
When it comes to listening to audiobooks, 53% of readers opt for traditional CD players , 23% for smartphones, 13% for tablets and 12% for MP3 players.
It is also surprising that a quarter of those who turn to audiobooks do so to read books they have already read previously.
The rise of audiobooks is in line with the recent awakening of podcasts , which are shedding the niche label to hang on the arm (in a fully-fledged way) of the mainstream trend label.