This is the question University of Tasmania school of social sciences PhD candidate Ashlin Lee aims to get to the bottom of as part of his project, Of Human Beings and Intimate Mobile Machines: The role and experience of convergent mobile technologies in the lives of users.

Mr Ashlin said he had always had a broad interest in the role of technology in society and wanted to develop it further.

"This study is about what I define as convergent mobile technology," he said.

"So I have a criteria for the devices themselves - I argue that these devices such as smart phones and tablets represent a new kind of artifact that we're using in society today.

"And as such we have new kinds of social behaviours, new kinds of social patterns and interactions that come with having this kind of device, which aren't currently necessarily fully fleshed out or understood."

Mr Lee said through his research so far, he'd found that many people liked to say their phone or tablet was just a tool and they could live without it, but on the other hand devices were an integral part of life now, especially for Generation Y.

As part of his study Mr Lee would like to talk to digital savvy, or media convergent mobile technology users with either smart phones or tablets that have 3G, Next G or Bluetooth-Wi- fi capabilities, can capture high definition video and use apps.

Laptops and computers are not part of the study.

Participants would also need to have an annual after tax household income of $100,000 plus.

Mr Lee said this did not mean an individual income, but all members living in one place, so it could be a combination of flatmates, a couple or family.

The study will involve participants taking part in two interviews on their usage of smart phones, tablets and other devices.

For more information or to register an interest in taking part email, Ashlin.Lee@utas.edu.au.