Now imagine the growth in the last 10 years, which is what I was trying to find but frankly don't care enough about arguing on the intarweb to tirelessly search for statistics proving what should be general knowledge, that internet use has grown drastically. Imagine ten more years from now, and tell me that internet access won't be available to virtually everybody in the developed world.
The tech will do what it wants to, it always does. New technology dictates the future of the society in which it is placed. If Apple or any company wants to go to a downloadable only software system, there isn't anything that is stopping them. They will do so, and in the meantime if they need to provide access to people who have difficulty, they will find a way to adapt. I'm not sure why you feel the need to waste endless amounts of time providing statistics that mean nothing to the overall argument.
Fair enough. Perhaps an alternative venue would be more appropriate for this discussion. That said, it doesn't negate the value of my logic. Ultimately, a digital distribution only method excludes the part of the population that doesn't have access on a regular basis to the internet.
There are four problems with the study you have listed that make me question the value of the results to this discussion:
1. It is based on a sample of only 6,600 people. While fairly significant from a social research perspective, the statistics I listed encompass the entire population.
2. Who was interviewed for your sample? For all I know, the participants in the study were all from middle class neighbourhoods.
3. Once over the previous 30 days? That could mean 10 minutes (once) or 90 hours (3 hrs/day x 30 days). What does this mean in terms of regular access?
4. Mine are also more recent (2003 compared to 2008).
I agree that technology is becoming more accessible to all individuals as cost decreases. That said, it is still expensive for a large part of the population. Think about cars. They have been around for more than 100 years but are still too expensive for a significant part of the population. Although technology (car or computer) gets better, it doesn't necessarily become more accessible.
To bring this back to the discussion topic for the thread, accessibility will likely still be out of reach for many in the years to come. The statistics are part of my argument illustrating that a digital only delivery method excludes those who may use computers but don't have access to regular (or "usable" - ie. dialup) internet usage.
So, in regards to your statement: "Imagine ten more years from now, and tell me that internet access won't be available to virtually everybody in the developed world." Internet access won't be available to virtually everybody in the developed world. Internet access won't be readily available to "virtually everyone" as long as poverty exists and as sad as I am to say this, poverty isn't going away any time soon.