More than half a billion Internet-connected devices in U.S. homes

Thanks to the increasing popularity of tablets and smartphones, the number of Internet-connected devices in U.S. homes has surpassed half a billion. The number of connected devices per U.S. household with Internet access has grown to 5.7, up from 5.3 devices three months ago, according to a report released by market research firm NPD Group. During that period, the “installed base” of tablets grew by nearly 18 million units, and smartphone users increased by nearly 9 million. Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. remained the top two smartphone brands that consumers own, and Apple dominates the tablet market with its iPad.