Apple’s iPhone leads the pack in what one industry watcher views as an increasing use of mobile applications. Little wonder. The iPhone (and other iOS-based devices) along with Google’s Android are part of the reason why smartphones now comprise 20 percent of the overall mobile phone market.
According to Nielsen, the number of mobile apps found on smartphones is increasing. On average, a smartphone had 27 apps in August, up from 22 last December. The iPhone is way ahead of competitors, sporting 40 apps versus 25 for Android smartphones and 14 for the Blackberry.
Over that period, the number of applications on an Android handset rose slightly, to 25 apps compared to 22. The RIM-made Blackberry had 14 apps, up from 10 apps, according to the Internet research firm.
Although games remained the most popular category of apps, social networking is becoming more prevalent. Indeed, Facebook is the most popular individual application on the iPhone, Android, Blackberry – even Windows Mobile handsets, according to the announcement.
When it comes to downloading apps, the Apple iPod touch is king, Nielsen said.
Wednesday, a report suggested iTunes traffic is quickly turning from people searching for music to iOS-device owners downloading apps. Owners of iPhones, the iPod touch and iPad average 17.6 million apps downloaded per day, compared to around 7.5 million songs, according to Asymco.
While it took iTunes Music five years to reach 6.3 billion downloads, iTunes Apps required half the time.
[WSJ]
