Android Market Set To Top App Store 2012

2012 Android Market Set To Top App Store

Right now, the Apple App Store is the most popular and successful of all app selling online stores around. That may not always be the case though. Just as Android is starting to take the lead from the iPhone in many markets, Android apps are catching up with the sales of iPhone apps too according to a new report. The report comes from Strategy Analytics.

The smartphone app battle between Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market is still raging on, but who will be on top by the end of the year?

Apple are leading the app market at the moment, but all of the studies and research are pointing at Android to be top dog in the coming years. Even Apple’s strong hold on the tablet market with their iPad will be weakened by Android’s rise. T3 has reported that the Android Market has now overtaken the App Store in the “free apps” category with 134,342 opposed to 121,845. We all love things that are free, so Android wins the battle there.

According to Phones Review, the Android Market grew by 16% in March compared to just the App Store’s 6%. Analysts have stated that if the stores continue to grow at the current pace they are, the Android Market would be the largest store in 5 months time. The App Store would be second best, with Windows Phone 7′s Marketplace following on. The next closest rivals are the Blackberry App World and the Nokia Ovi Store.

Many believe that the App Store will stay on top for the next few years, but Apple cannot ignore the fact that Android are proving a very competitive rival. Google’s OS is the top smartphone software in the US, as well as being the favourite in the UK. Studies show that by 2015, Android will account for 50% of the mobile phone market. Will they rise up above Apple in the app market? Leave us your thoughts in the comments on who you think has the better app offering.

According to the report, the Android Market is set to overtake the App Store in quarterly volume by the end of 2012. The overall app economy is looking to be worth $2 billion per quarter by the end of 2012. The report does suspect the App Store to maintain the lead through 2012. The prediction is that Android will get help from other Android app markets to beat Apple.

 The help for Android apps will come from the other markets like the Amazon App Store, GetJar, Nook, and other sources. Overall the app market is selling billions of paid apps monthly and downloads are expected to add up to about $2 billion by the end of 2012.