Final answer:
The use of smartphones and tablets has led to an increase in news consumption from digital sources, which has decreased the consumption of print media and long-form news while increasing traffic to major newspaper websites. It hasn't made television news irrelevant, but there's a notable preference for digital news formats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of portable cellular technology like phones and tablets has impacted the consumption of news in several ways. It has not made television completely irrelevant for consuming news, but the evolution of how news is consumed has certainly shifted. According to the Pew Research Center for People and the Press, there has been a significant increase in news consumption through digital sources due to the prevalence of smartphones and tablets. From 2004 to 2012, there was an increase from 24% to 39% in the share of Americans obtaining their news from digital sources. This shift has led to an increase in consumption of news briefs, as these formats are more suited to mobile consumption, and a decrease in consumption of "long form" news. Additionally, there has been an increase in traffic on major newspaper websites, as traditional print readers transition to digital platforms. Though not making television news entirely obsolete, the trend indicates a diversification of news mediums with a notable tilt towards digital platforms.