2011 will mean big business for the mobile app industry.
According to the latest figures from research firm Gartner, sales of apps for the iPad, iPhone and other portable mobile phones and devices devices will exceed $15 billion this year.
“Many are wondering if the app frenzy we have been witnessing is just a fashion, and, like many others, it shall pass,” says Stephanie Baghdassarian, research director at Gartner. “We do not think so.”
Gartner predicts 17.7 billion app downloads this year, the revenue from which will represent a 190% increase over all mobile app revenue generated in 2010.
Gartner adds the growth will persist through 2014 when revenue is estimated to top $58 billion.
According to InformationWeek:
The rise in app popularity is making it possible for developers to introduce several different business models to make money, including paid downloads, advertising and in-app purchases. Gartner expects users to become more willing over time to pay for more applications, as they see more value in mobile applications and become more trustful of billing mechanisms.
The report adds that Apple’s iOS operating system remains the preferential platform for developers building mobile applications. A recent developer survey conducted by IDC indicates that 92% of developers were “very interested” in building apps for the iPhone as opposed to 87% for Android smartphones.
