Android smartphone app revenues to hit $6.8bn this year

Almost double 2012 figures.
Android can be found powering smartphones from Samsung, HTC, Sony, Huawei, ZTE and beyond, and such widespread reach will push Google OS smartphone app revenues to reach $6.8 billion in 2013.
ABI Research says the figure is almost double 2012 smartphone app revenues, but still trailing behind the overall smartphone revenues of iOS. However, by market share, Android's app revenues will rise from 59.1 per cent to 65.9 per cent in the next year.
In-app ads are behind the surge of Android's smartphone app revenues, with Google's analytics and search experience outshining Apple's.
Additionally, operator billing across Android is also helping to encourage business, especially in emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia-Pacific.
Josh Flood, senior analyst, ABI, said: "Apple’s iOS still leads all the other mobile operating systems’ revenues by a significant margin; however, the greater number of Android smartphones in use is clawing back Apple’s lead in this market. This year, Android smartphones will ship by a factor of more than three-to-one to iPhones."
The Android-based Amazon Appstore is currently celebrating its one-year anniversary since launching in the UK, and has listed its most popular apps since launch and is offering a £20 giveaway.

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