Strategy Analytics: Apple Dominates Mobile App Space with Content while Android Aims for Numbers

Win the Apps, Win the Wallet

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To say the app market is exploding would be an understatement. By the time you finish reading this press release another 100,000 apps will have been downloaded and $150,000 spent. According to a new app storefront forecast published by Strategy Analytics, “Apps, Apps Everywhere: The Billion Dollar Industry,” the app economy is strong and getting stronger as paid downloads are expected to drive nearly $2 billion per quarter by the end of 2012.

“Apps are a multi-billion dollar industry on their own--and are playing an increasingly important role in the phone purchase process. After the OS decision has been made, apps play a critical role in augmenting platform stickiness. Win the apps, win the wallet—and win long term devotion.”

Driving more paid downloads, higher ASPs, and more total apps than any other platform, Apple remains king of the app economy through 2012. The Android Market is poised to overtake the Apple App Store in quarterly volume by the end of 2012, and Android generally will do so even sooner with additional assistance from third party distribution outlets such as the Amazon App Store, GetJar, Nook and others.

The battle between Google and Apple is only one subtext in a market that will continue grow exponentially for the next six quarters. The unbridled opportunity of apps must face hurdles such as successful transition to new devices, improved means of discovery and driving revenue in emerging markets.

According to Josh Martin, Strategy Analytics Director of Apps Research, “Apps are a multi-billion dollar industry on their own--and are playing an increasingly important role in the phone purchase process. After the OS decision has been made, apps play a critical role in augmenting platform stickiness. Win the apps, win the wallet—and win long term devotion.”

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides timely and actionable market intelligence focused on opportunities and disruptive forces in the areas of Automotive Electronics and Entertainment, Broadband Connected Home, Mobile & Wireless Intelligent Systems and Virtual Worlds. Headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, S. Korea and China, Strategy Analytics works with clients through annual multi-client services, management team workshops and custom consulting engagements. For more information, please visit http://www.strategyanalytics.com/.