Apps
Top 10 Apps of 2011 (By Downloads)
One interesting tidbit in the Distimo app store report TechCrunch wrote about today is the list at the bottom of the top apps of 2011. The list is based on number of downloads across all major app stores and platforms, and reveals something about what most people use their mobile devices for right now.
Of the top 10 apps half are games. And three of those games are Angry Birds variants — the original at #1, Seasons at #7, and Rio at #4 — which is no big surprise. Fruit Ninja comes in at #8 and Talking Tom Cat is #9.
Distimo’s data shows that games are by far the most populous type of app in most markets, so it’s no surprise that they account for the majority of downloads.
Facebook and Twitter also make the list, as does Skype. No big surprise that communication and social networking apps are so prevalent. I feel like Twitter would have been up higher than #10 if there weren’t so many other apps that can post to the service (and are usually much better than the official app, anyway).
The other two apps seem like odd ones to include in the most popular: Google Maps and iBooks. Are these apps really being downloaded that much? After all, they come pre-loaded on iPhone/iPad or Android devices by default. I guess downloads of updates count? Seems odd, though. I wonder what would have made the list if you left these two off.
Overall, it looks like people use their mobile devices to communicate with friends and play games. It’s about what you’d expect.
How many of these apps have you downloaded? Are they in your top 10 for the year?
Anonymous
12/21/2011 at 9:22 am
So do iPhone users not need navigation because they’re already standing in line for the iPhone 5?
It fits with iBooks since they do need something to read while waiting.
Happy holidays to everyone except the poor birds and pigs.
Ike Pigott
12/21/2011 at 9:38 am
There is a VERY good reason why Google Maps isn’t pre-installed on Android, and why iBooks isn’t pre-installed on the iPad.
They are slam-dunk apps that people would want — and this is a great way to get new users to learn how the App Store and Marketplace work.
K. T. Bradford
12/21/2011 at 12:09 pm
They are pre-installed, though. When I bought an iPad, iBooks was there. Every Android phone I test has Google Maps on it already.
Ike Pigott
12/21/2011 at 12:24 pm
That’s quite odd… I remember having to put iBooks on as part of a walkthrough. Same with Maps.
It might be the update issue, then…
Anonymous
12/21/2011 at 1:04 pm
I don’t know about iBooks but I suspect the carriers’ leave Google Maps off devices because many are trying to sell their own services.