Non-browser Internet Use on the Rise

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Three out of four home and work Web users go online through
non-browser-based Internet applications, such as media players, instant
messengers and file-sharing tools, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. A
recent report found that about 106 million people used Internet applications
in November, up 11% from the year-ago period. These users spent an average
of three hours and 37 minutes per month using these tools. Windows Media
Player was the most popular application, reaching 34% of the active user
base. AOL Instant Messenger and Real Player followed, each with a 20% reach.
And MSN Messenger Service and Yahoo! Messenger Services reached 19% and 12%
of the active user base, respectively. "Functionality has grown beyond the
browser to become a fundamental piece of the overall desktop," said Abha
Bahagat, senior analyst at Nielsen//NetRatings, a part of Adweek parent VNU.
"It's become harder to distinguish when you're on the Internet, blurring the
lines between what's sitting on the desktop and what's coming from the Web."

Source: Editor & Publisher Online