iSuppli sees App Store keeping lead in app revenue

In spite of attempts by Google and others, Apple's iOS App Store should still represent the majority of mobile app revenue three years from now, IHS iSuppli estimated on Tuesday. Apple's portal was expected to grab 76 percent of app revenue in 2011, or $2.91 billion, but would still have 60 percent of that by 2014. Android Market was predicted to be quadrupling its share this year, but at $425.36 million would still not be moving fast enough to take the top spot.

Downloads would also still be more common on iPads, iPhones, and iPods despite Android's bias towards free apps and predictions of outrunning in app count. About 10.3 billion apps are poised to trade hands through the App Store where Android Market would hit 5.8 million.

Other mobile app stores were still slated to trail behind even relative to Android. BlackBerry App World would be next at $279.11 million in 2011, but it would have the fewest downloads of the pack at 772.2 million. Nokia's Ovi Store is poised to make the least money, at $201.48 million, but through sheer ubiquity would hit 1.1 billion apps.

As many as 18.1 billion apps could be downloaded this year, twice as many as the 9.5 billion in 2010. Growth in the long run wouldn't be as explosive but would still hit 33 billion in 2014 based on the predictions.

Android has been gaining in popularity and mainstream appeal but has regularly had more trouble persuading major app developers to sign onboard, particularly for games where the inconsistency of Android hardware has been a limiting factor. iOS is still the leader in key categories like games and has also had a much longer lead for in-app purchases where Google just added in-app purchases this year and has little developer support.

By Electronista Staff