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t'€™s becoming increasingly common today to see waiters taking orders by touching tablets, nation heads using tablets to read speeches or press statements, or children playing on-line games on their smartphones or tablets while their rich parents shopping in high-end luxury malls.

It'€™s a trend in all corners of the world, including in Indonesia, where people have become constantly glued to their smartphone or tablet screens.

A report recently released by marketing company Millward Brown showed how people apportion screen time among TV, phones, tablets and PCs. It suggested that smartphones are now the most used screen around the world, with a global average of 147 minutes per day, followed by TV (113 minutes), laptop (108 minutes) and tablet (50 minutes).

 The screen time differs for every country and region that was examined in the study but showed that Asia was the most screen-obsessed region, which was represented by, among others, Indonesia.

The study, which surveyed multi-screen users in 30 countries to identify multi-screening opportunities for marketers, listed Indonesia second, after Nigeria, where smartphones have become the primary screen. Daily screen use per person in the archipelago is now 181 minutes for smartphones, 132 minutes for TV, 117 minutes for laptops and 110 minutes for tablets.

The findings should have suggested that smartphone and tablet usage in Indonesia has been supported by an adequate infrastructure or network, a key factor always associated with such Internet-connected gadgets.

As a matter of fact, the devices that are equipped with more advanced computing capability and connectivity occasionally run slow, which can probably be due to the system, infrastructure or both.

Telecommunications operators, the majority of which are Internet providers, have indeed taken measures to ensure the happiness of their customers when using their gadgets. PT Indosat, for instance, continuously improves, develops and increases its data and Internet-related services.

According to the company'€™s division head of data service, Sharif Mahfoedz, Indosat, for example, has provided a wide range of bundling and smart devices including MIFI for subscribers to choose from.

He said there were several causes if users faced problems when accessing the Internet with their gadgets.

'€œDevices can one of them. Some Internet pages require better processing power to be able to displayed. It can also be the coverage. Make sure that you'€™re on the 3G network, sometimes most phones display '€˜H+'€™ symbol. If coverage is OK, then find out the package.'€

'€œIf you still have a quota and if you'€™re on unlimited plans, make sure that the fair usage policy (FUP) is not reached. If you reach the FUP or deplete the quota, make sure you buy the extra packages,'€ he said, adding the company had also introduced INSTANT (Indosat Assistant), which made it easy for smartphone users to check their quota.

In terms of infrastructure, he said, Indosat had provided good connectivity with the NEW U900 modernized network to ensure in-building coverage and better 3G experience.

Since the introduction of the Ipad several years ago, the tablet has become an extremely popular device in Indonesia. Just like smartphones, tablets are expected to continue rapidly penetrating the market in the country this year.

According to research company GfK, Indonesia is the largest tablet market accounting for nearly 1.3 million units or over one-third of total tablet sales volume in the Asian region. The company said that demand for tablets in the largest Southeast Asian nation surged last year by 141 percent over a 12-month period.

Thanks to the large population and potential buyers from a wide range of segments, there are more than 60 tablet brands in Indonesia'€™s market, providing consumers with around 300 models to select from.

Therefore, users must be very cautious about the types, models and brands of the gadgets they are using. Though a gadget'€™s life depends on the usage and how users utilize it, the term '€œyou get what you pay for'€ also applies in purchasing and using mobile devices.

Operators normally try to lure potential users with bundle packages, an effort that will also benefit customers with limited budgets.

'€œWe are doing as much as we can to cater to most of the smart devices that are available in the market. Any device that is as per the standard of the industry can be use the Indosat Network. However, it is recommended to buy phones that we bundle together with such devices have been thoroughly tested, with warranty from our distributor partners as well as having bonus or packages that are beneficial for the users,'€ said Mahfoedz

To make sure the gadgets can be used to their full potential, thus running smoothly when used, people can actually ask for suggestions from vendors or operators offering bundle packages.

Mahfoedz said there are lots of different uses for tablets or smartphones such as leisure, productivity or just game for kids. '€œThe most expensive device will not necessarily will cater to your needs. Finding the correct one is crucial.'€

He encouraged users to read tech blogs, join forums or communities where members traditionally exchange information and assistance on many things.

'€œKeep in mind that you'€™re always on the updated OS. Sometimes new features, improvements for gadgets come from OS updates,'€ he said.

 With several tips for smoother and comfier usage, you can now avoid problems when playing with your gadgets. It'€™s also good to remember the old saying: don'€™t use a gadget while driving and onboard plane when told by flight attendant not to do so. Also, turn smartphones and tablets off while attending personal, social or professional functions. Check texts or messages later. We can certainly wait and be out of contact for just a few minutes or hours, it won'€™t kill us. (I. Christianto)