Tablet a fifth of all iOS downloads

Over 3 billion downloads of native iPad apps have been made to date, claims ABI Research. The firm's estimate includes all downloads made since iPad apps debuted in early 2010. In total they amount to almost a fifth of all iOS app downloads, despite the iPad only shipping a little less than two years after the App Store was launched. iPad apps also tend to be more expensive than their iPhone and iPod counterparts.

"Discounting all of those apps that were originally downloaded for Android smartphones, Android still trails greatly behind the iPad in terms of its tablet app offerings," says an ABI research associate, Lim Shiyang. "Many Android tablets in the market are still using older versions of Android, which disadvantages users from enjoying the better effects of apps produced from more advanced software development kits." ABI suggests that Android tablets should gain more traction following the release of Android 4.0.

ABI further calculates that there were about 120,000 native iPad apps available as of Q3 2011. About 100,000 were recorded in June.

by MacNN Staff