Tablets are transforming how we shop--and what we shop for

The holidays are coming, and this year, there are essentially two types of people: Those adding tablet devices to the top of their wish list, and those who already own tablets--and plan to use them to complete their seasonal shopping tasks. Tablets trail only clothing as the most desired gift this year, ahead of peace, happiness and money, according to a recent Consumer Electronics Association survey. Notebook computers, e-readers and videogame consoles also rank high on 2011 wish lists, and the CEA projects consumer spending on electronics will reach an all-time average high of $246 in the weeks ahead, up 6 percent compared to a year ago. Overall gift spending also will increase: Consumers plan to spend an average of $769 on presents this year, 3 percent higher than last year.

Millions of consumers already own tablets--most likely an Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad--and more than 87 million U.S. subscribers tout smartphones, per new comScore data. Now more than ever, those devices are essential weapons for smarter shopping: A new Prosper Mobile Insight survey reveals that close to 62 percent of smartphone and tablet users will leverage that hardware over the course of the holiday season, doing everything from comparing prices to tracking sales to following budgets to making lists (and, perhaps, checking them twice). On average, mobile holiday shoppers plan to make 37.9 percent of all holiday purchases from their device; most say they're on the lookout for killer deals, with 66.9 percent planning to make purchases on Black Friday and 63.5 percent expecting to scoop up bargains during Cyber Monday.

Tablets are now so tightly woven into users' lives that they rival PCs and laptops as shoppers' e-commerce device of choice. Another new study, this one conducted by mobile advertising network Jumptap in partnership with research firm comScore, reveals that 63 percent of tablet owners now make purchases on their device, compared to 83 percent of PC owners who do the same. Seventy-nine percent of tablet owners between the ages of 18 and 34 make e-commerce purchases, far ahead of tablet owners between the ages of 35 and 54 (50 percent) and those ages 55 and up (43 percent). The Jumptap/comScore survey adds that the top three products and services purchased using mobile devices are event tickets, offers from daily deals sites like Groupon and Living Social, and apparel. It's inevitable that some device owners will access their tablet browser to purchase the tablets their family and friends are clamoring for this holiday season--and the circle of life (or at least the circle of mobile commerce) will be complete. --Jason