Fiksu: iPhone 4S helped app downloads jump 83% in November
updated 01:30 pm EST, Wed December 28, 2011
App Store index shows iPhone app rush
An update to Fiksu's index for iOS apps showed a far-reaching effect from the launch of the iPhone 4S on downloads. At nearly 5.7 million downloads per day among the top 200 free iOS apps, the App Store had seen its downloads grow 83 percent over the same point year before. The count was an all-time high and a 15 percent hike over an already record-setting 4.9 million in October.
New device owners are often likely to download more, but November showed that interest was sustained for at least the first several weeks. The iOS 5 update may have helped as well as users downloaded new versions of apps or new apps meant to take advantage of new features.
Android didn't receive a similar breakdown from Fiksu and was difficult to put into context. Its download rate has been growing, but it has usually been slower than on iOS. Google's platform might still find favor in the mobile app marketer's share, however, as Android app downloads skew towards free apps.
