Landline telephones and TV sets have been fixtures in American households since most of us can remember.

But that's changing -- and quickly, especially among those ages 18 to 29.

A new Social & Demographic Trends survey by the Pew Research Center shows that land­line phones and TVs aren't the necessities they once were. Just 42 percent of Americans say that TV sets are essential; just 3 in 10 believe this in the 18-29 age range. For landline phones, 62 percent of Americans -- down from 68 percent last year -- believe landline phones are something the could not do without.

The study credits changes in technology, rather than the poor economy, for these shifts. In the case of TV sets, for example, more people are viewing entertainment on their computers and smart phones than ever before.

As far as landline phones, a Pew Research Center analysis of government data shows that just 74 percent of U.S. households now have a landline phone, down from a peak of 97 percent in 2001. During roughly the same time period, use of cell phones has soared: 82 percent of adults now use cell phones, up from 53 percent in 2000. And there are now more cell phones in the U.S. than landline phones.

According to the Pew report, here's how household items stack up as far as how important they are to Americans:

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