Let’s see now, where are we? There are about 1,000 apps on the Palm Pre. About 20,000 on Google’s Android app store. On the Apple iPhone App Store there are over 100,000 apps. But today Apple says more than three billion iPhone/Touch apps have been downloaded in less than 18 months. That is a hell of a lot of apps.
For some context, Nokia has been saying the Ovi Store is currently registering around 1 million downloads each day and hit 10 million downloads three months after launch. But we all know Symbian is on its way out, if the buzz about the Maemo-driven N900 is anything to go by.
Of course what is frustrating about these types of releases from Apple is that they are essentially meaningless. Who knows how many of these apps were deleted after download or simply languish unused? That’s the beauty of the mobile web, as opposed to apps. You can quantify use more easily.
Still, its an impressive number, designed of course, to impress…
Here’s the release:
Apple’s App Store Downloads Top Three Billion
CUPERTINO, California—January 5, 2010—Apple® today announced that more than three billion apps have been downloaded from its revolutionary App Store by iPhone® and iPod touch® users worldwide.
“Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months—this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The revolutionary App Store offers iPhone and iPod touch users an experience unlike anything else available on other mobile devices, and we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”
iPhone and iPod touch customers in 77 countries worldwide can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.