According to Netherland research company Distimo there are now more free apps available for Android devices than for iPhone users. It’s been a long time coming, but it seems Google’s Android mobile operating system (OS) has finally taken its first major step towards taking worldwide app domination from Apple.
The numbers are certainly impressive for both sides. At the time of the study Android devices rang in with 134 342 free apps, whereas iPhones only offered just 121 845 for its users. However, the numbers become significantly closer when the study included all iOS apps (that’s iPhone, iPod and iPad apps), coming in with 132 239 free applications in total.
This is a huge step for Android, as the main concern of potential Android customers just a couple of years ago was the noticeable lack of apps when compared with the Apple App Store.
It is important to remember that statistics aren’t everything. Apple is renowned for having a stringent vetting process when it comes to approving new apps for its store. Android, on the other hand, is renowned for being somewhat lenient. As a result Apple has lost out on potentially thousands of sub-par apps that would have raized their numbers but lowered the average quality and reliability of their service.
Apple also still has the highest number of ‘premium’ or buyable apps with 333 123 compared to Android’s less impressive but still enormous 206 143. However, looking over the speed at which Android has expanded in size and prevalence in the smartphone market in such a short time it shouldn’t be long until they overtake Apple in this category as well.
"...between Android's rapid growth and what the report terms iOS's relative stagnation, Distimo expects Google to take the top spot in five months' time, outnumbering iPhone and iPad apps combined."
via Engadget
It seems Android has managed to creep up on Apple somewhat unnoticed in recent months. Now, with the impending release of several high-end phones, specialty devices such as the Xperia Play and a wide range of tablets Android is looking to be in a very good position. All of this is on top of rumors that the Apple iPhone 5 will be delayed from anywhere up to 1 - 6 months.
We could be seeing a new mobile device king before we know it. What do you think? Will Apple retain its place on the throne of the mobile kingdom, or does Android have a good chance of seizing the crown for itself?
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