Google’s approach to application distribution hasn’t been as successful as Apple’s approach thus far, but it had to start somewhere. Many curious Android users are probably wondering just how well the Android Market is preforming as well as growth and download statistics, well wonder no more, AndroLib has just published their latest data which includes some detailed information on the Marketplace.
You can check out the gallery below for their findings. From them, we learn just how fast the Android Market is expanding, in just over a year we have seen exponential growth in applications available in the market. You can also check out the distribution of Free vs. Paid applications in the market which seem to math up perfectly to what Angry Birds creator, Peter Vesterbacka stated about paid applications not being a viable option for Android at this time.
They’re statistics, you can make them math up to what ever you want ;).
With this data you have no idea if the user quickly uninstalled it or only briefly used it but didn’t uninstall it right away, plus paid for apps some times have limited FREE demos, which a user will likely try first before they consider buying it.
What would be more useful would in fact be statistics of apps that are both available as free and paid for versions, and to see how many users upgrade to the paid version.
I agree Lee, I’ve spent over 40 cumulative hours just trying to find useful stats. Why is it so hard? Is Google deliberately holding back on which apps sell the best, in which country etc.? All I (and I assume all actual and potential android developers) want is a database which allows us to sort as we choose so that we can make a more justifiable reason to go down a certain app path because the way we read that theoretical database gives us the knowledge that we are heading in the right direction. PLEASE somebody, if you know of such a database, please please share. Alternatively, I am now (begrudgingly) considering developing for Apple because although for philosophical reasons I would prefer to see Android prosper, the costs/benefits analysis pushes me toward Apple.