It’s been three years since Apple launched the App Store program for developers to sell their apps for iOS devices, and it was a runaway hit. At each Apple event, we sort of expect Steve Jobs to come out and give App Store / iBooks numbers. Last month at WWDC Apple claimed 14 billion App downloads by some 200 million iOS users. The figure has surged to 15 billion in just a month. Today Apple announced it has served over 15 billion app downloads via the iTunes App Store.
If we look at the numbers, it’s a billion apps being downloaded in a month. That would mean that Apple is set to do 12 billion app downloads a year and the number can only increase with new iPhone, iPod touch hardware expected later this year. Developers have already pushed out 425,000 apps for iPhone / iTouch and 100,000 apps fot the iPad alone. Apple has paid out over $2.5 billion to developers, which translates to over a billion for itself in revenues.
No wonder the mobile market is the center of cut throat competition to attract developers and consumers. Yes, you may include the patent suits to the list, as well!
Developers actually make 20 times more money from the iOS downloads than Android downloads.