App downloads from Google Play have overtaken Apple’s rival App Store for the first time, but iOS continues to lead in terms of app revenues, according to new data from mobile analytics firm App Annie. Total Google Play app downloads exceeded App Store installs by 10 percent during the second quarter of 2013, App Annie […]
App downloads from Google Play have overtaken Apple’s rival App Store for the first time, but iOS continues to lead in terms of app revenues, according to new data from mobile analytics firm App Annie.
Total Google Play app downloads exceeded App Store installs by 10 percent during the second quarter of 2013, App Annie reports, crediting the surge to strong performances in India and Brazil.
“Android’s open platform has given Google Play a very strong position in these markets because cell phone manufacturers like Samsung, HTC and LG are offering cheaper handsets and already have established distribution channels to market and sell their products,” App Annie said.
The App Store still generated revenues 2.3x higher than Google Play, boosted by substantial growth in the music and social networking apps categories.
Games continue to dominate both storefronts, accounting for 80 percent of combined revenues in Google Play and 75 percent in the App Store.
The United States leads all nations on both iOS and Android downloads.
China is second on App Store installs but did not rank among the top five in Google Play rankings.
“China is a unique market because it isn’t dominated primarily by the iOS App Store and Google Play,” App Annie said. “Baidu, China’s leading search engine, announced on July 15, 2013 that they signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase 91 Wireless, one of the leading third-party app stores that deliver both iOS and Android apps. Third-party app stores play a significant role in the Chinese app economy, both for Android devices that can’t connect to Google Play and jailbroken iPhones.”
The U.S. market also beats out all other markets on App Store revenues, but slides to third on Google Play revenues, behind Japan and South Korea.
The three markets combined generate roughly 70 percent of total worldwide Google Play revenues, App Annie noted.
Read the full report here
