Around 3.62 million Britons are fondling slabs, 73 per cent of which are an Apple iPad, according to new research.

Kantar Worldpanel ComTech's survey results show the number of fondleslab owners in Great Britain is set to grow, with over half the potential tablet-purchasers longing to smear an iPad.

"Apple’s achievements in this market are clearly linked to its success in the smartphone market. 80 per cent of people who already own an iPhone and plan to purchase a tablet intend to buy an iPad," said Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director.

If you're wondering why you would want a fondleslab and what is basically a mini-fondleslab at the same time, you're not alone.

"With tablets and smartphones providing similar benefits to customers and increasingly becoming the same size, it may become a case of one or the other," Sunnebo suggested. "In fact ten per cent of consumers already remain undecided whether to buy a smartphone or a tablet."

Despite the current Jobsian domination in the marketplace, there's still room for other manufacturers to make their mark, provided they're not blocked by the courts over a patent dispute: six per cent of those looking for future fondles hope to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab of some description and 28 per cent are undecided on brand.

And, in what could be a boost for Amazon's upcoming foray into the market, tablets are most used for reading ebooks and newspapers, as well as using apps and playing games. PCs are still popular for actual work and people use their smartphones most for instant messaging and poking around social networks. ®