The amount of quality apps in the Google Play Store, formerly the Android Market, has increased dramatically over the last year or so. It used to be that iOS users would often see an app long before Android users. Much like with Instagram and Temple Run, the developers would use iOS to market their app and make it popular, then develop an Android app. This way, there would be buzz for the Android app when it launched. Now, however, we are seeing many Android apps launch simultaneously – or close to it – with their iOS counterparts. For example, the Android version of Temple Run 2 launched just a week after the iOS version, whereas the original Temple Run launched months after iOS on Android.
According to a new report form Canlys App, developers have a reason to launch their app on Android at the same time. or before, they launch it on Android. Canalys’ App Interrogator research suggests that the Google Play Store was the leader among all four major app stores in terms of downloads. The data reflects information collected during the first quarter of 2013 from the Apple App Store, Windows Phone Store, BlackBerry World, and Play Store.
Downloads from the Google Play Store accounted for 51 perent of the total 13.4 billion apps downloaded in the first quarter of 2013. Apple came in a close second, though. In total, app downloads increased 11 percent in Q1 over the previous quarter in 2012.
In terms of revenue, the Apple App Store is a clear leader. It accounted for a 74 percent share of revenue out of a total of $2.2 billion brought in by apps in Q1. As a whole, the paid app market grew 9 percent in Q1, and this includes paid apps, subscriptions, and in app purchases.
This is really the data you’d expect to see this far into Android’s growth process. Google’s operating system holds more than 50 percent of mobile market share, thanks in large part to the apps available on Android. Apps use to be a downfall of Android in general, but now can be considered a strong point.
What do you think of Android’s app selection in comparison to iOS? Let us know down in the comments!