When it comes to app downloads, who’s the current king of the castle?
According to the Q2 2013 App Annie Market Index, the answer is Android. In this period, Google Play exceeded the App Store in-app downloads by 10 percent.
With numbers like these, it appears Google Play is poised to dominate the App Store for higher revenue. But for Q2 this year, Apple led the way.
Though Google Play had more downloads, the iOS Apple Store still generated 2.3X the revenue.
Before you set these numbers in stone, consider revenue growth. Google Play is rocketing full-speed ahead, with no signs of slowing down.
Research from the latest report from app analytics company Distimo shows that Google Play experienced a revenue increase of 67 percent in the first half of 2013, while the iOS App Store slogged behind at a fifteen percent increase.
And don’t forget about the recent surge in Android in-app purchase revenue. Dominating downloads is just the first step towards upping IAPs across Android devices, particularly in the tablet gaming arena.
Android: More Downloads, More In-App Purchases
During a session at the 1/O 2013 conference in May this year, Google representatives shared some insights about recent Google Play revenue growth revealed how in-app purchases on Play had increased 700 percent since the same time last year.
In-app purchases are popular across Android devices for subscription services, virtual currencies, and to unlock game levels. Given the rapid rate of growth for these microtransactions, Google advises in-app purchasing as a viable revenue model for Android app developers.
Games rule for Android downloads
In-app purchasing and app gaming go together like peanut butter and jelly. So it’s great news to see Games take the number one spot for Android downloads, as the Q2 App Annie Marketing Index reports.
Communications apps came up close behind Games for the number two spot. Travel & Local jumped two slots to number five.
Predictions for long-term growth
Rapid growth in app downloads and in-app purchasing over the past year suggests that Android poised for even greater market share and increases in the app revenue.
A recent report from market research firm Ovum deems Android the leader of the smartphone market for the coming years, with an estimate of smartphone shipments reaching 1.7 billion units by 2017.
Is your business ready for the future of mobile growth?
Regardless of the iOS/ Android race for the most revenue in the marketplace, considerable increases in smartphone and tablet adoption over the past two years suggests that there’s no stopping the mobile market from changing the way we consume media. These devices have infiltrated the lives of consumers across the globe, making it all the more necessary for businesses to prepare adaptable marketing strategies.
What will that look like for your business? Have a chat with our mobile development expert to discover how your brand can make a lasting impact on the ever-evolving digital landscape.