App downloads hit 13.4 billion in Q1 2013, Google Play dominates

The world's leading app stores have combined to reveal a total of 13.4 billion apps were downloaded worldwide in the first quarter for 2013.
Data from Canalys showed Apple's App Store, Google Play, BlackBerry World and Windows Phone Store to have hit the target – an increase of 11 per cent over 2012 in its entirety.
Similarly, app revenue grew by nine per cent to a total of $2.2 billion in the first quarter alone.
"Apps have had a huge impact on the way consumers use mobile devices, what they value, and what they expect from smart phones and tablets," said Adam Daum, chief analyst for Canalys.
"They are now central to how consumers engage with content and connected services, and how they personalise their devices around the app-enabled features that are important to them," continues the statement.
Google Play was found to have generated the most downloads, as the store accounted for 51 per cent of all apps downloaded.
However, Apple continues to rake in the most revenue, as the firm's store maintained a 74 per cent of the market share.
"Apple's App Store and Google Play remain the heavyweights in the app store world. In comparison, BlackBerry World and the Windows Phone Store remain distant challengers today, though they still should not be ignored," said Tim Shepherd, senior analyst at Canalys.
"Each of these four stores represents a different market proposition for developers, and remains the primary outlet to reach users on the platforms they serve."

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