Downloaded an app recently? Android now accounts for some 44% of all application downloads according to stats – that’s compared to 31% for Apple. ABI Research research now shows that Android is the leader in market share. Lim Shiyang, Research Associate, states..
Android’s open source strategy is the main factor for its success. Being a free platform has expanded the Android device install base, which in turn has driven growth in the number of third party multi-platform and mobile operator app stores. These conditions alone explain why Android is the new leader in the mobile application market.
This is probably another reason why Apple are firing legal bullets at the Android OS and handsets using it. However, it should be noted that this increase in app market share is mainly due to the amount of Android handsets out there, and actual app downloads per user is still higher on Apple devices.
Link – ABI Research
Not only is app downloads per user important, but also app purchases rather than just downloads. If the platform is going to attract the best developers then it needs to demonstrate that it can offer the same or better rewards that the apple platform can. So while it’s good news that there are more downloads overall, the competition is far from over.
Just to be clear – I’m a die-hard Android fan, and have purchased loads of Android apps 🙂
Indeed. The Apple platform has more success in paid-for apps.
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Leigh Geary
http://www.coolsmartphone.com